2 named cultivars

perennialN. America Native

Cuphea

Cuphea purpurea

The Story

Plant Bio

Cuphea purpurea is a tender sub-shrub raised from a cross between two Mexican species, C. llavea and C. procumbens. It makes a rounded bushy plant one to two feet high and as wide, evergreen where it is hardy. Small tubular flowers in rose-red to pink-violet are produced almost continuously, each with two raised upper petals.

It flowers without a pause from planting until frost, with no deadheading required, which is unusual among tender bedding plants. Hardy only from zone 9, it is grown as an annual or a container plant almost everywhere else, and cuttings taken in late summer will carry a favourite plant through winter indoors.

Uses & Benefits:

Continuous small tubular flowers in rose-red and pink-violet on a neat rounded bush.

Flowers all season without deadheading, and roots easily from cuttings for next year.

Tubular nectar-rich flowers are a reliable draw for hummingbirds through summer.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

20 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Perennial, often grown as an annual

Native To

Garden origin; parent species from Mexico

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant out after the last frost in full sun.
Use moderately fertile, free-draining soil or compost.
Water regularly; it dislikes prolonged dryness.
Feed lightly through the growing season.
Pinch young plants once to encourage branching.
Take cuttings in late summer to overwinter.

Pro Tip

No deadheading is needed; it drops spent flowers cleanly and keeps producing, so leave it alone and water instead.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it full sun for continuous flowering ☀️
Keep it evenly watered 💧
Pinch young plants once to build bushiness ✂️
Take cuttings in late summer to keep it 🌱

Don't

Plant it out before the last frost ❌
Let it dry out repeatedly in a container ❌
Waste time deadheading it ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Propagate

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Summer bedding and path edgingContainer, window box and hanging basket plantingHummingbird and pollinator planting

Companion Plants

Lantana Salvia VerbenaSweet Potato Vine Angelonia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Cuphea questions

What zones can Cuphea grow in?

Cuphea is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Cuphea deer resistant?

Yes — Cuphea is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Cuphea bloom?

Cuphea typically blooms in late spring to first frost through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Cuphea need full sun?

Cuphea does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Cuphea drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Cuphea handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.