cuphea
Cuphea hyssopifolia
RHS AGM 1993; MBG Plant of Merit 2001
USDA zones9 to 11
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall9 inches to 2.5 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Dense
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Lavender
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Cuphea (Cuphea hyssopifolia) is a small evergreen shrub for borders, containers, and rock gardens. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 9 and warmer, down to about 20°F (-7°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes full sun and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It forms a dense mound of green leaves with lavender flowers in summer and autumn. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees visit the blooms.
Pairs well with Tuscan Blue rosemary, Stonecrop, and Little bluestem.
Native range
South America.