Species Mexican heather

Mexican heather

Cuphea hyssopifolia (incl. hybrids)

Mexican heather is an evergreen subshrub native to parts of Mexico and Central America. It can grow up to 3 feet in height and features lance-shaped green leaves and bright pink to lavender-hued flowers. The Mexican heather thrives in well-drained soils and full or partial sun, and will flower heavily in the fall and winter months. This low-maintenance plant is also known for its fast growth and low water requirements, making it an ideal choice for gardeners looking for a drought-tolerant shrub. Hybrid varieties of the Mexican heather can feature larger blooms and attractive variegations in the leaves.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Greenwood Cuttings

Hardiness Zone:

9

Flowers:

Showy, White, Violet, Pink Flowers In Summer

Sun:

Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Humus rich, Well-drained

Fruits:

Fruits In Autumn Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,purple

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Mexican Heather should be watered regularly, as it is a tropical plant and does not like to dry out. Water your plant every 5-7 days, adding enough water to thoroughly moisten the soil. During hot and dry times, water more frequently. If the heat is extreme, it may require daily waterings. When it comes to winter care, water the plant every 12-14 days, reducing watering frequency in colder temperatures.

sunlight

Mexican heather thrives in plenty of sunlight, ideally getting at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day. A position with east or south or west facing sunlight will be a good location. However, if you live in an area that's hot all year round, you can provide some afternoon shade for your Mexican heather. It’s also important to make sure your Cuphea hyssopifolia is not exposed to cold drafts or frost.

pruning

Mexican heather should be pruned regularly to keep it healthy and looking its best. However, it is important to not prune too much or too often, as over pruning or pruning at the wrong time can cause damage. The best time for pruning Mexican heather is in early spring, just as new growth begins. Prune the plant lightly, removing dead and damaged branches as well as any branches growing out of the desired shape. Mexican heather can also be lightly pruned in the summer after the bloom season has ended. When it comes to how much to prune, it is best to prune no more than 1-third of the plant at 1 time. Depending on how large the plant is, this can mean removing just 1 or 2 branches or a few inches from the length and sides of each branch. It is important not to take more than the recommended amount, as this could damage the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Cuphea hyssopifolia typically begins flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Cuphea hyssopifolia typically begins flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

Cuphea hyssopifolia (incl. hybrids) can be harvested from June to August.

Hardiness Map