Intermediate
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Cuphea ignea (Cigar flower)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.75m
Max height
Max height
0.9m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cuphea ignea
Other names
Cigar flower, Cigar plant, Firecracker plant , Mexican cigar flower , Red-white-and-blue flower , Vegetable firecracker , Cuphea platycentra
Genus
Cuphea Cuphea
Species
C. ignea - C. ignea is a tender, spreading, branching, evergreen sub-shrub, often grown as an annual, with oblong to lance-shaped, glossy, bright green leaves and, from late spring to autumn, tubular, scarlet flowers with black-tipped, white margins.
Cuphea ignea is: Evergreen
Habit
Spreading, Branching
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Scarlet in Spring; Scarlet in Summer; Scarlet in Autumn
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Cuphea ignea (Cigar flower) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Greenhouse, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Conservatory, Beds and borders, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered, frost-free site in sun or light shade but sheltered from scorching sun and wind. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely in growth.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cuphea ignea
Other names
Cigar flower, Cigar plant, Firecracker plant , Mexican cigar flower , Red-white-and-blue flower , Vegetable firecracker , Cuphea platycentra
Genus
Cuphea Cuphea
Species
C. ignea - C. ignea is a tender, spreading, branching, evergreen sub-shrub, often grown as an annual, with oblong to lance-shaped, glossy, bright green leaves and, from late spring to autumn, tubular, scarlet flowers with black-tipped, white margins.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading, Branching
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Scarlet in Spring; Scarlet in Summer; Scarlet in Autumn
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cuphea ignea (Cigar flower) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.9m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Greenhouse, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Conservatory, Beds and borders, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered, frost-free site in sun or light shade but sheltered from scorching sun and wind. Alternatively, grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely in growth.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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