Cuphea Llavea (Bat-faced Cuphea, Bat Flower, False Heather, Red ...

Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche: Acalypha Cuphea ignea Salvia rosmarinus Tweet this Page Share on Facebook Cuphea llavea

Common Name(s):

• Bat-faced Cuphea
• Bat Flower
• Cuphea
• False Heather
• Red Cuphea

Phonetic Spelling KOO-fee-ah lah-VEE-ah Description

Bat-faced Cuphea or Red Cuphea is a perennial, evergreen sub-shrub native to Mexico in the loosestrife family. In North Carolina, it can be grown as an annual, container plant or house plant. The name comes from the flower which has a one inch long, hairy purple calyx with two upward facing red petals, resembling a bat face. It begins blooming in late spring and continues until frost, producing clusters of numerous flowers in the leaf axils. The genus name comes from the Greek kyphos meaning curved or humped, referring to the shape of its seed capsules.

In its native habitat, it may grow 2 to 3 feet tall, but as an annual, it will most likely reach 12 to 18 inches tall with a similar spread.

When planted outside, it does best in well-drained moist soils in full sun. It will tolerate hot summers and partial shade and does well along a border or pathways. It is sensitive to cool temperatures, but you can grow the plant in containers and bring the plant in during the winter. If indoors, place in a sunny location and reduce watering. You can cut the plant back to prevent legginess. Bat-faced Cuphea attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Many cultivars are available.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape: Cultivars / Varieties:

• ‘Diablo’Hot red flowers
• 'Torpedo’Larger flowers

‘Diablo’, 'Torpedo’ Tags: #hummingbird friendly#houseplant#red flowers#hanging baskets#tropical herbaceous perennial#bushy#rounded#border planting#evergreen shrub#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#tropical#container plant#annual#patio Add

Cultivars / Varieties:

• ‘Diablo’Hot red flowers
• 'Torpedo’Larger flowers

‘Diablo’, 'Torpedo’ Tags: #hummingbird friendly#houseplant#red flowers#hanging baskets#tropical herbaceous perennial#bushy#rounded#border planting#evergreen shrub#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#tropical#container plant#annual#patio

• Attributes: Genus: Cuphea Species: llavea Family: Lythraceae Life Cycle: Annual Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Seed Country Or Region Of Origin: Mexico Wildlife Value: Attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators Dimensions: Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Annual Houseplant Perennial Shrub Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Habit/Form: Mounding Multi-stemmed Rounded Growth Rate: Medium Maintenance: Low Texture: Medium

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist Available Space To Plant: 12 inches-3 feet USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b

• Flowers: Flower Color: Black Purple/Lavender Red/Burgundy Flower Value To Gardener: Long Bloom Season Showy Flower Bloom Time: Fall Spring Summer Flower Shape: Tubular Flower Petals: 2-3 rays/petals Flower Size: 1-3 inches Flower Description: The 1 inch long, dark purple, hairy calyx has 2 upward facing red petals and resembles a bat face. Flowers appear in the axils of leaves from late spring to frost.

• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Opposite Leaf Shape: Ovate Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: Yes Leaf Length: 1-3 inches Leaf Width: < 1 inch Leaf Description: Up to 3 inch long ovate, thick, dark green hairy leaves with pointed apex.

• Stem: Stem Color: Green Red/Burgundy Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Description: Reddish green stems

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Hanging Baskets Houseplants Small Space Walkways Landscape Theme: Cottage Garden Pollinator Garden Design Feature: Border Attracts: Butterflies Hummingbirds Pollinators

Cuphea llavea

×