Cuphea Species, Candy Corn Plant, Mexican Giant Cigar Plant, Tall Cigar Plant

Cupheamicropetala

Family
Lythraceae (ly-THRAY-see-ee)
Genus
Cuphea (KYOO-fee-uh)
Species
micropetala (my-kro-PET-uh-luh)
Synonym
Cuphea apetala
Cuphea ciliata
Cuphea eminens
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Textured
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
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)
Bloom Color
Red-Orange
Bloom Time
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From softwood cuttings
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Alameda, California

Carmichael, California

Chico, California

Corona, California

Richmond, California

Sacramento, California

San Francisco, California

San Jose, California

Bonita Springs, Florida

Deland, Florida

Deltona, Florida

Fort White, Florida

Holmes Beach, Florida

Inverness, Florida

Navarre, Florida

Oviedo, Florida

Palm Coast, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Trenton, Florida

Zephyrhills, Florida

Douglas, Georgia

Rincon, Georgia

Honomu, Hawaii

Lafayette, Louisiana

Mandeville, Louisiana

Worcester, Massachusetts

Apex, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Beaufort, South Carolina

Camden, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Conway, South Carolina

Elgin, Texas

Houston, Texas

La Porte, Texas

Spring, Texas

Leesburg, Virginia

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Gardener's Notes:

6
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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H
Conway, SC | October 2012 | positive

what a display this has put on as a background for a black prince coleus - hummingbirds love it - must have more!

E
E
Huntington, NY | July 2010 | positive

Last year (2009), this plant bloomed well into October on Long Island and was the single best hummingbird attracter in my garden. I just...Read More

M
DeLand/Deleon Springs, FL (Zone 8b) | April 2009 | positive

Easy Easy Wonderful plant in my zone. I love it, the butterflies love it....blink and it's grown and bloomed more.

F
Honomu, HI (Zone 11) | January 2005 | positive

In Hawaii, professional flower lei makers use this tiny flower in making beautiful lei. I will post a picture if I find one.
Hund...Read More

K
K
Inverness, FL (Zone 9a) | November 2004 | positive

I have a bush of this in my front yard where it gets almost full sun. Before I planted it I added quite a bit peat moss and some horse m...Read More

M
M
Leesburg, VA | July 2004 | positive

Currently growing this Candy Corn plant in a container on the porch in Virginia. Quick grower and needs vine support. Way prettier than...Read More

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