All flowers
False Heather Wikimedia Commons
Lythraceae

False Heather

Cuphea hyssopifolia

Continuous joy.

Family
Lythraceae
Genus
Cuphea
Native to
Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
Bloom season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Type
evergreen shrub
Height
1-2 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic
Water
moderate
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • False Heather blooms almost continuously in warm climates, producing flowers for up to 10 months of the year.
  • Despite its common name, it is not related to true heather (Calluna) and belongs to the loosestrife family.
  • The tiny flowers are only about a quarter inch across but are produced in such abundance they cover the entire plant.
  • In tropical regions it has naturalized and can become mildly invasive, spreading along roadsides and disturbed areas.
  • Butterflies and hummingbirds are strongly attracted to the nectar-rich flowers despite their small size.

Color meanings

0

cheerfulness

1

lasting happiness

Uses

  • border planting
  • container gardening
  • butterfly gardens