There are over 250 species in this diverse genus.
Thesedrought-tolerant plantsthrive in warm, sunny yards with well-draining soil.
If the stems become leggy and weak or the plants arent flowering well, they could need more light.
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Soil
Cuphea plants prefer fertile, light, well-drained soil.
While fertilizers arent necessary,amending poor soilswith organic matter can help produce abundant blooms.
If your yard has heavyclay soil, plant cuphea in raised beds or containers for improved drainage and aeration.
Water
Most cuphea plants are moderately drought-tolerant once established.
They can handle some humidity but prefer drier conditions.
Too much humidity can lead to fungal issues and attractfungus gnats.
Most cuphea plants are frost-tender and will die off when the frosts arrive.
Fertilizer
Cuphea plants dont typically need fertilizing to do well.
Planting them inhumus soilrich in organic matter, such as compost, is often enough.
Types of Cuphea Plants
There are over 250 cuphea species and many more cultivars and hybrids.
Do your research to select one best suited to your climate and growing conditions.
Below are a few of the popular varieties.
Pruning
you could boost the growth and tidy the appearance of straggly cuphea plants with pruning.
Many bloom continuously from the warm days of late spring to fall, when the first frosts appear.
What Do Cuphea Plant Flowers Look and Smell Like?
They frequently have a tubular form, making them popular plants for long-beaked hummingbirds.
Some species have a light, pleasant fragrance, while others are unscented.
Non-sticky varieties may be more attractive to pests such as aphids, thrips and whiteflies.
Some cuphea species can be prone toSclerotinia sclerotiorum, a fungus that can lead to white mold.
Research the individual species to determine which is right for your yard and climate.
One of the benefits of low-maintenance cuphea plants is that they are self-cleaning.
This means you dont have to deadhead the flowers after they finish blooming.
The nectar-rich, tubular flowers of cuphea plants are pollinator magnets.
Cuphea.Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.
Differential sensitivity to temperature and cuphea vegetative and reproductive growth.Industrial Crops and Products.
2004.Water use and root length density of Cuphea spp.
Influenced by row spacing and sowing date.
First report of Sclerotinia sclerotiourum infection on cuphea.Plant Disease.
