Photo by Forest and Kim Starr Botanical name: Cuphea hyssopifolia Common names: False heather, Mexican heather, Hawaiian heather Origin: Native to Mexico and Central America Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone) Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Full sun or filtered shade; must have filtered shade in … Choose a location that will get full sun to partial shade. This plant not intended for human or animal consumption. It’s a perennial in North, Central, and South Florida. The mounding, semi-trailing growth habit and colorful blooms makes this a great … Mexican heather varieties. This small, evergreen perennial grows to be just 10 to 18 inches tall, and its flat, feathery leaves spread out and extend from its main stems. Mexican False Heather is not bothered by pests. Use these convenient icons to share this page on various social media platforms: can anyone tell me the name of this plant, Zone 8b -9.4 °C (15 °F) to -6.7 °C (20 °F). Evergreen and flowering shrubs provide a beautiful backdrop for masses of small perennials, whereas large-growing perennials can be used as … Produces short racemes of 1-3 light pink-purple, pink, or white flowers, to 1/2 in long, with 6 spreading petals, from the upper leaf axils, mainly from summer to autumn. Mexican Heather produces a pretty, dark green foliage and adorns itself with an abundance of delicate blooms, ranging in shades of lavender, pink and/or white. Plant Mexican heather in full sun to areas with light shade. It is native to tropical areas and you will get the best results if you can recreate as much of its natural environment as possible. Privacy Policy and Mexican heather is a dwarf shrub also known as false heather it grows natively in Mexico and Guatemala. It also attracts butterflies with is aroma. document.write(''); Mexican False Heather is a tropical evergreen sub-shrub that grows to 24" in height and 36" wide. This evergreen perennial forms into dense and compact flowering shrubs averaging around 12 inches tall, making it a great choice for borders or lining walkways. Bloom Color: Pink. Mexican heather also tolerates both acid and alkaline soil conditions and most soil types. Mexican heather grows well in partial shade, especially in areas with strong summer sun. Cuphea hyssopifolia is native to Mexico and parts of Guatemala. Prefers sun or partial shade and regular water. Frost can damage Mexican heather, but it usually recovers and grows again in the spring. But Mexican heather is so darned eager to please that it finally won me over. Cultivation. Mexican heather is beloved for its delicate-looking foliage and countless clusters of prettily colored flowers. Both species are tough plants that can grow in sandy or clay soil, as well as in full sun or part-shade. It can grow in full sun in regions with cooler summers, but strong light may lighten its leaf color. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9 through 11, and it does very well in hot, humid climates. YES COMPANION PLANT SUGGESTIONS: Depending on the amount of sun or shade, consider variegated peperomia, dwarf oyster plant, society garlic, Mexican heather, … Remember that although Mexican heather plants grow in a wide range of soils, good drainage is critical. Ruellia simplex can be grown in either the shade or full sun, and is great for edging or mass plantings. For it to grow best, make sure to plant your Mexican heather in an area which gets ample or rather full sunlight to partial shade. Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) Likes full to part sun and grows to a foot tall. Rose. Mexican heather likes to be watered whenever the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. Mexican heather bushes look lovely as edging or as a small hedge in tropical gardens, around the corners of paving and sidewalks or as a filler plant in beds and borders with other foliage and flowers. The plant likes consistently moist, well-drained humus- rich soil. Commonly referred to as Mexican Heather or False Heather, it is of no relation to the European family of heathers. I cut mine back once they die down (after frost) and they come back each year, but they are an annual in cooler climates. Foliage Color: Green. Cuphea, Mexican Heather. Cuphea hyssopifolia -- False Heather Page 3 October 1999 Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant Use and Management Tolerant of many soil types, False Heather needs ample moisture to become established in full sun or partial shade, frequent light fertilizations, and appreciates a thick mulch of organic matter. The only "must-have" for a liriope plant is well-drained soil. However, it needs a good deal of watering or the foliage will begin to wither in the sun. It has highly branched, feathery foliage, with small oblong leaves appearing alternately along the stems. Sun. Cuphea hybrid 'Floriglory Diana' Home / Our Plants / Cuphea, Mexican Heather . Grower's Pot (8-Plants) Pure Beauty Farms proudly grows the Cuphea Pure Beauty Farms proudly grows the Cuphea (Mexican Heather) Plant. This tough, drought-tolerant plant loves direct sunlight and thrives in intense heat. Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) may appear to be fragile, with its clusters of tiny pink or white flowers and dainty green leaves, but this plant is actually as sturdy as they come. Neutral It doesn’t matter if you call it lamb’s lettuce or if you prefer to refer to it as corn salad – Mache thrives pretty well in Mexican Heather. It is quite drought tolerant once established, but benefits from regular moisture during its first year or two. » Upload a photo» Post a comment» Add an event report, © 1972 - 2020 National Gardening Association, Times are presented in US Central Standard Time, Today's site banner is by lauriemorningglory and is called "October Skies". An. Soil. Soil: Average, medium moist, well-drained. I confess: I used to be disdainful of Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia), that sturdy, prolifically blooming sub-shrub offered on the summer-color tables at the big-box stores and plugged into many a planter at local shopping centers.I often saw plants that were leggy and a bit sun-crisped. The Lowest Temperature for the Tropical Plant Bougainvillea, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Perennial Plants for South Texas Landscapes. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. In some regions, this plant is known as the "elfin herb" due to its small flowers and foliage. The Mexican Heather likes full to part sun and grows to a foot tall. Plant Mexican heather in a sunny or partially sunny spot with well-drained soil and feed with a slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time. Care of Mexican Heather. The soil should be moist and well-drained. You can propagate Mexican heather by t… This plant can grow in full sun or partial shade, and it prefers slightly acidic soil. Cut it back several times a year. Height: 6 … In general, it is mostly found in zones three through eight. Care Tips. You may want to plant Mexican heather in slightly shaded places in very warm climates to prevent the blooms and foliage from fading. Always wear gardening gloves and protective eyewear to prevent injury when working with pruning shears or insecticides. Some perennials are used to best advantage when they are planted in masses (Figure 2). This plant often thrives in the hot, humid weather than can be problematic for many other plants. It is a low-maintenance annual that blooms from late spring until frost without needing deadheading. There are two techniques to master if you want to know how to prune impatiens. Water Mexican heather plants deeply about once every week, then allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Flowers usually appear in springtime, and they can last throughout the summer and into the fall. Blooms during warm months and grows 2 to 3 feet tall. In addition to thriving in landscapes, it’s also good for container gardens. When planting your Mexican heather bush, select a location that has direct sunlight for a few hours and partial shade for the rest of the day. Culture: Average, well-drained soil with full sun to light shade is fine in most areas. Full sun bleaches its foliage’s deep-green color. It's … Her work has been published in Forbes, USA Today, Fodor's, Marriott Traveler, SAS Airlines, the Austin American-Statesman, Austin Monthly, and dozens of other print and online publications. Elsewhere, enjoy Mexican heather as an annual, either in the ground or in pots. Purple / Violet. Mexican Heather originated in Mexico and Guatemala. Blooms profusely in summer with flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white. It will also grow well in either sun or shade. Grow Mexican heather in full sun or part shade and well-drained soil. Want to know how to grow Mache? It prefers a semi-shady location and minimal pruning. This attractive bedding plant will only look its best if you keep it tidy and Many other perennials exist, but they may not be suited to Florida's climate and soils. A Mexican heather lifespan can be quite long since these plants are able to survive the hottest summers and bounce back from most winter frosts. Avoid creating waterlogged soil conditions because Mexican heather has good drought tolerance. You will want to plant Mexican heather about 2 … Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant so you can just about plant it and forget it. The species name alludes to the similarity of the foliage to that of the European herb, hyssop. In cold-winter areas, the plant can be dug up and potted to over-winter indoors, and usually does well in an indoor spot near a south- or west-facing window until the following spring. The bold displays of color they provide are much more pleasing than individual plants placed here and there. Under glass, grow in soil-based potting mix in full light with shade from hot sun, in moderate humidity. Heat and drought tolerant Attracts hummingbirds ... Sun/Shade: Full Sun to Part Sun. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google The plants are pretty hardy so it should not be difficult to find a location. Cuphea hyssopifolia - False Heather, Mexican Heather, or Hawaiian Heather Rather slow growing mounding evergreen shrub reaches a height of 12-18 inches. Mexican heather seeds are fairly easy to grow, and the plant is low maintenance and easy to care for provided that you adhere to its specific soil, water and light requirements: Justine Harrington is based in Austin, where she writes about current trends in health, wellness, community, gardening and sustainability. It also benefits from a thin layer of mulch that will help keep the moisture in … Mexican heathers may appear more vibrant and intense in dappled or filtered sunlight. Heather is a relatively low maintenance plant, growing happily in both full sun and part shade, and able to thrive in poor, acid, sandy soils. When planting your Mexican heather bush, select a location that has, Be sure to stick to a consistent watering schedule to give your Mexican heather bush the best chance for foliage and flower growth once it has been planted. Plant for front of the border, planter boxes, or grow in "drifts." Mexican heather is attractive in the border as well as in a container looks well with fountain grass, hibiscus, mandeveilla, and phormium. The perennials listed in Table 1 are good performers in Florida gardens or in containers. Planting Location. In any area, the fine-textured foliage and flowers make it a perfect partner for bolder leaves and blooms. Foliage is hardy to 28F, but will generally grow back from roots if frozen to the ground. The genus name, Cuphea, comes from the Greek word kyphos meaning curved and refers to the curved seed capsule. Hardiness Zone: Not Hardy. If the plants receive too much sun, you will notice that the foliage will start to fade a bit. Choose an area with fertile, well-draining soil. Mexican heather performs best on a site with filtered shade. Plant each liriope about one foot apart, keeping in mind that L. spicata will spread, as it's a creeping plant. Interestingly, the stem of this plant becomes more purple when it’s in bright light, as opposed to when it’s grown in a shady area, where the stem stays fairly green. Strong light may lighten the color of the leaves. Mexican Heather- blooms all year long, full sun. Although, it has good drought tolerance, make sure to water the plant regularly or when the top layer of the soil feels dry to touch. Will Mexican Heather Return in the Spring? They grow and bloom best in full sun, but late afternoon summer shade is preferred, Rodriguez said. Plant for front of the border, planter boxes, or grow in "drifts." It also makes a lovely houseplant. Heather is frequently called by the names Heather, Scotch heather, ling, or Scottish heather. Mexican Heather Mexican heather offers a year-round non-stop show of tiny purple, white or red blooms against lacy dark green foliage. Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade Partial or Dappled Shade: Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 8b -9.4 °C (15 °F) to -6.7 °C (20 °F) Plant Height: 18 - 24 inches: ... Mexican False Heather is a tropical evergreen sub-shrub that grows to 24" in height and 36" wide. Terms of Service apply. Unique golden flower bracts and white blossoms for a part sun or part shade area. Cuphea Mexican Heather Plant in 4.5 in. ... Light:Full sun, partial shade. Plant Mexican heather in full sun or n a partially shaded location. They have tiny lavender, purple, or white flowers and small, glossy leaves. Successful tips for growing Mexican heather Plant in an area that will receive partial shade; full sun will fade the leaves. Mexican heather, also referred to as false heather, is a multi-stemmed annual with an upright, spreading growth habit.