Cuphea ignea

Cuphea ignea Details

Cuphea ignea, commonly known as the Mexican Cigar Plant, is a densely branched evergreen shrub with elegant flowers. It produces small and tubular, bright red-orange flowers with each tipped with a thin, white rim and two small purple-black petals. The flower is said to resemble a lit cigar, hence the name. The leaves are small, bright green, and provide a lovely backdrop to the flowers. It typically grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide, performing best on a well-drained site in full sun or partial shade. Cuphea ignea is commonly included in a mixed planting, added to border plantings, included in cottage gardens, or maintained in a container.