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(Cuphea ignea)
Cigar Flower (Cuphea ignea)
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yewchan
CC BY-SA 2.0
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yewchan
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CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo by: yewchan | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: yewchan | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cuphea ignea, commonly known as Cigar Flower, is an evergreen shrub or subshrub native to open woodlands and forest edges in Mexico, including regions like Oaxaca and Chiapas, as well as the West Indies. It typically grows to about 60 cm (24 in) in height. The Cigar Flower is characterized by its small, tubular, bright red to orange flowers, each with a thin white rim and two small purple-black petals at the tip, resembling lit cigars. The flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, adding to the plant’s ornamental value. The leaves of Cuphea ignea are small, elliptical, and bright green, contributing to the plant’s overall lush appearance. Flowering occurs throughout the year in its native habitat, with peak bloom times varying by local climate.
Cuphea ignea is celebrated for its unique, fiery flowers and its ability to attract pollinators. It is often used in borders, containers, and as a houseplant. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its value in cultivation. While it can be somewhat drought-tolerant, it prefers consistently well-watered, well-drained soils and thrives in full sun. It is winter hardy to USDA zones 10–12 and can be grown under glass or indoors in temperate climates to protect it from frost. Care should be taken where it is grown outside its native range, as it has the potential to become invasive.CC BY-SA 4.0
Cuphea ignea is celebrated for its unique, fiery flowers and its ability to attract pollinators. It is often used in borders, containers, and as a houseplant. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its value in cultivation. While it can be somewhat drought-tolerant, it prefers consistently well-watered, well-drained soils and thrives in full sun. It is winter hardy to USDA zones 10–12 and can be grown under glass or indoors in temperate climates to protect it from frost. Care should be taken where it is grown outside its native range, as it has the potential to become invasive.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Subshrub
- Height: 1.5-2.5 feet
- Width: 1.5-2.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Red, Orange
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to open woodlands and forest edges in Mexico and the West Indies
Other Names
Common Names: Cigar Plant, Firecracker Plant, Mexican Cigar, Herbe Cigarette, Herbe Piment
Scientific Names: , Cuphea ignea, Cuphea platycentra, Cuphea watsonii, Cuphea liebmannii, Cuphea tubiflora, Parsonsia ignea, Parsonsia liebmannii, Parsonsia platycentra, Parsonsia watsoni,
GBIF Accepted Name: Cuphea ignea A.DC.