Cuphea micropetala
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Cuphea micropetala

Candycorn-plant · Cigarplant · Cigarette bush · Candy corn plant · Mexican giant cigar plant

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: moderate Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 8–11
Click count
107
Observations
28

Description

Source: leafsnap

Cuphea micropetala’s bright orange-red flowers might remind you of a lit cigar or candy corn, earning it the name Mexican cigar plant or candy corn plant. This small woody shrub thrives in hotter regions like Western and Central Mexico. The tropical climate allows the small, bright flowers to bloom nearly year-round. Candy corn plants are typically perennial, although not very long-lived. However, it can easily be treated as an annual or grown in planters and moved indoors for areas prone to colder climates. While it grows only 40 inches at most, the candy corn plant is a striking border shrub that attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators when used in landscaping.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Cuphea
Family
Lythraceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
30 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm to 61 cm
Leaf Color
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
Red, Orange
Flower Size
2.54 cm to 7.62 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Summer, Fall, Early winter
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer, Fall, Early winter, Mid winter
Native Area
Mexico

Tags (13)

Common Names (5)

en Candycorn-plant
en Cigarplant
en Cigarette bush
en Candy corn plant
en Mexican giant cigar plant