Also known as Cigar Plant · 40 gardener saves
Cuphea: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cuphea, the genus most gardeners know as cigar plant. We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Cuphea varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most saved'Strybing Sunset' Cuphea
Cuphea purpurea 'Strybing Sunset'
#2 most savedCigar Plant
Cuphea aequipetala
#3 most savedLavender Lace Cuphea
Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Lavender Lace'
Candy Corn Plant
Cuphea micropetala 'Candy Corn'
Candy Corn Plant
Cuphea micropetala
Starfire Pink Cuphea
Cuphea x hybrida 'Starfire Pink'
Diana False Heather
Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Diana'
Hummingbird's Lunch Cuphea
Cuphea purpurea 'Hummingbird's Lunch'
Sticky Cuphea
Cuphea glutinosa
How to grow Cuphea
What the Cuphea varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cuphea year
- PlantApril and May89% of varieties
Plant transplants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- FertilizeMay–August89% of varieties
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, especially for container plants
- Pinch TipsMay and June67% of varieties
Pinch back young stems to encourage bushier growth and more flowers
- Winter PrepSeptember and October67% of varieties
If overwintering, cut back and move indoors before the first hard frost
- PruneMarch44% of varieties
Lightly shear or shape leggy plants in late winter/early spring
Do
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Use organic fertilizer monthly during growing season
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Avoid planting in deep shade
- Don’t ignore pest signs
What goes wrong with Cuphea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on foliage, speckled leaves | Increase humidity and apply miticide |
| Whiteflies | White flying insects on undersides of leaves | Use yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and avoid overwatering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery growth on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Cuphea
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch cuttings in early summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep in warm, humid environment for 6 weeks.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in spring and keep warm for 2-3 weeks.
Cuphea questions
How many types of Cuphea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Cuphea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 40 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cuphea grow in?
Across its varieties, Cuphea covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cuphea bloom?
Most Cuphea varieties bloom in late spring to fall, summer to fall, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cuphea should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
By hardiness zone
Design with Cuphea in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
