How do you treat Cuphea ignea?

How do you treat Cuphea ignea?

Firecracker Plant, Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea)

1. Plant Feed. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly.
2. Watering. Keep soil evenly moist.
3. Soil. Fertile, well-drained soil.
4. Basic Care Summary. Very easy to grow in virtually any location. Best in fertile, well-drained soil.

Is Cuphea ignea a perennial?

The tender perennial cigar plant (Cuphea ignea) is more commonly referred to as the Mexican cigar plant or the firecracker plant. This tropical evergreen shrub has a bright red flower with white and black tips that could bear some similarities to a lit cigar.

How do you propagate Cuphea ignea?

Seeds and cuttings are the two options for propagating the cuphea ignea. Sow the seeds in early spring to grow plants that are ready to flower in the summer. Take cuttings in the early spring when transplanting plants brought indoors for the winter. Always look for new shoots to get healthy cuttings.

Do cigar plants need sun?

Botanically called Cuphea ignea, cigar plant flowers bloom in full sun to partial shade.

Is Cuphea indoor plant?

The plants will tolerate light shade, but won’t flower as well and may grow a bit tall and lanky. In the North, you can move potted cuphea indoors in the fall and grow it in a sunny window as a houseplant. Cuphea is not intended for human or animal consumption.

Can you grow Cuphea indoors?

Cuphea is perennial only in the warm climates of USDA plant hardiness zone 10 and above, but you can grow the plant as an annual if you live in a cooler climate. If you have a bright window, you may be able to bring the plant indoors for the winter.

Are cigar plants poisonous to dogs?

Cigar plant is not known to be toxic to humans, fish, dogs, or any other animals. Regardless, if you live outside of its native range, make sure that you keep all firecracker plants trimmed and properly dispose of any cuttings and seeds to prevent its spread into natural areas.

Do hummingbirds like cigar plant?

Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea) Also called firecracker plant, the cigar plant has long, thin, bright orange flowers that hummingbirds love. In cold climates, cigar plant generally serves as an annual, but it will thrive year-round in warmer areas.

Can you grow cuphea from cuttings?

Cuphea is relatively easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Simply cut a 3-4″ length from the tip of new stem, strip the leaves from the bottom inch, dip the cut end in rooting hormone and place it in a container of moistened potting soil.

Can you propagate cuphea?

You can propagate cuphea from softwood cuttings. Softwood is a plant stem that is well-developed but not old and woody. With clean and sharp shears, cut 4- to 6-inch stems from a healthy plant. Remove the lower leaves from your cutting, dip the cut end into rooting hormone, and place in the hole.

Can you grow a cigar plant indoors?

Mexican Cigar Plant is somewhat drought tolerant but prefers light, well-watered and well-drained soil. This tender perennial that is grown as an annual can be wintered indoors in a sunny location, making a beautiful houseplant.

Do cuphea come back every year?

Cuphea is a low-maintenance annual that blooms from late spring until frost without needing deadheading.