Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Lythraceae
Botanical Name
CUPHEA ignea
Plant Common Name
Cigar Flower, Cigar Plant
General Description
It’s no wonder this tropical subshrub has gained fast popularity as a bedding plant. Drifts of bright orange, tubular flowers cover its branches effortlessly in the hottest months of summer. This interesting tender perennial hails from southern Mexico where it remains evergreen and bushy year round. In North Temperate zones, it is grown as a bedding annual but can be brought indoors to overwinter.
Broad and bushy, cigar plant is covered with small, crisp, medium green leaves with lighter midveins. Its numerous small, tubular blooms are fiery orangish red, often with a touch of purple or cream at the lip. Hummingbirds favor the nectar-filled flowers and will busily buzz from one to the next. The blooms are self-cleaning and do not require deadheading.
Full sun is essential for best growth and flowering as is well-drained soil with average to good fertility. Established plants will withstand periods of drought and thrive in heat. Cigar flower is fully evergreen but will die back to ground like a perennial in subtropical areas where occasional frosts occur. It is a superb bedding plant for sunny gardens, hummingbird borders and lively containers filled with other brightly colored bedding flowers. Trim it occasionally to maintain a more compact habit, if desired.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 12
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
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Width
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall, Indeterminate
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Native To
Mexico
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Lime Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Lime Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Lime Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Lime Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No