{"id":14992,"date":"2025-07-10T18:21:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T22:21:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatgrowsthere.com\/grow\/?p=14992"},"modified":"2025-07-10T18:22:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T22:22:44","slug":"firecracker-plant-cuphea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatgrowsthere.com\/grow\/2025\/07\/10\/firecracker-plant-cuphea\/","title":{"rendered":"Firecracker Plant (Cuphea)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a>
Batface cuphea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Planting Cupheas <\/strong>should set off fireworks in your summer flower garden. Cupheas are dependable, low-maintenance flowers that easily cope with the heat and humidity of the South. They’re exceptionally long blooming, attract bees, wasps, butterflies and hummingbirds like magnets, and are versatile enough for container plantings or in-ground beds. (See list below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the most popular of the cupheas is Vermillionaire\u00ae Firecracker Plant<\/strong> (Cuphea<\/em> x ‘Vermillionaire’), sometimes called “cigar plant”. It ignites multi-seasonal color and are really catching on with gardeners. Around the latter days of spring, scarlet-red tubular flowers with burnt tips emerge in abundance at the leaf axils along the stem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grow cupheas in full day sun (6 or more sun and in well-drained, fertile soil. Plants are moderately drought-tolerant, but prefers regular, light watering. Moderately fertilize with slow-release fertilizer at planting time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cuphea plants prefer fertile, light, well-drained soil. While fertilizers aren\u2019t necessary, amending the soil with organic matter can help produce abundant blooms. Also, plant cupheas in raised beds or containers for improved drainage and aeration. Irrigate during prolonged summer dry spells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cuphea plants are moderately drought-tolerant once established. However, these shallow-rooted species typically produce the most vigorous growth and abundant blooms when the soil remains evenly moist during the growing season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cupheas excel where summer heat and humidity soars. At the end of the autumn season, plants become frost-tough into the low 20\u2019s and die back. Some varieties like Vermillionaire\u00ae may survive a mild winter. In zones 7b and higher, protect surface roots by mulching and\/or move plants to a sheltered site to improve survival levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plants need only moderate fertilizing levels from spring through summer and no more. Plant cupheas in humus-rich soil One time application of a slow-release fertilizer at the start of the growing season is adequate OR monthly feedings with a water-soluble fertilizer like Miracle-Gro\u2122. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Cuphea<\/em> x ‘Vermillionaire’<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Worldwide there are over 250 cuphea species and many more cultivars and hybrids. Most popular in U.S. gardens include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n