Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia)
Mexican Heather, or False Heather, is a small, low-maintenance, multi-stemmed plant native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Its origin in warm climates allows it to thrive in heat.
The small lavender-purple flowers appear singly in the leaf axis along the stem and bloom profusely until frost. The nectar-filled, tubular flowers attract large numbers of hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.
Cuphea hyssopifolia Flower and leaves | Forest and Kim Starr | CC BY 2.0
The plant tends to grow to 2-ft. tall and wide in a rounded shape. It is adaptable to various soils with good drainage in full sun. It tolerates high summer heat and some drought (once established) but grows best with regular moisture and occasional fertilization.
Flowering begins in summer and continues through fall until short days and cool weather reduce flowering or frosts cause die-back. It is a perennial in zones 9 and higher but it is generally grown as an annual. Zone 8 plants are usually killed to the ground in winter, often recovering by summer but resulting in a compact plant growing less than 24-in. tall and wide.
Mexican Heather’s landscape uses include containers, hanging baskets and edging along walkways and driveways, where it softens and provides a transition from plantings to hardscapes.
Mexican Heather resists heat and humidity and is moderately salt-tolerant. It is not truly deer-resistant, but reports suggest deer do not favor Mexican Heather
By Kathryn Copley, Extension Master Gardener SM Volunteer, Brunswick County, NC
For more information on gardening in Brunswick County, please call the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension Office, 910.253.2610.
SOURCES:
Cuphea hyssopifolia (Elfin Herb, False Heather, Hawaiian Heather, Mexican Heather) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Plant Cupheas for Summer Flowers, Hummingbirds, and More | UF-IFAS Blogs, University of Florida