Cuphea, Cigar Plant, Cigar Flower, Firecracker Plant, Mexican Cigar
Cupheaignea 'Black Ash'

Family: Lythraceae (ly-THRAY-see-ee)
Genus: Cuphea (KYOO-fee-uh)
Species: ignea (IG-nee-uh)
Cultivar: Black Ash

Category
Shrubs
Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage
Deciduous
Herbaceous

Foliage Color

Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow
Suitable for growing in containers

Danger

Bloom Color
Red
Orange
Red-Orange

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Blooms all year

Other details

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Patent Information

Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; sow indoors before last frost

Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed