Cuphea ignea
Cuphea ignea
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Cuphea ignea is a plant of the tropical regions of central N. America and is not tolerant of frost. However, it is said to be suitable for cultivation as an annual in parts of the temperate zone[1]. Whilst it can flower successfully for several months even in areas with relatively cool summers, Continental and Mediterranean regions with hot summers have been specifically mentioned - the most important factors being the length of the growing season and the amount of summer heat that is required in order to ripen the crop of seeds Prefers a position in full sun, but is tolerant of partial shade. It is best grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils[2]. Established plants are tolerant of some drought[2]. Cuphea has only been investigated as a potential commercial crop for a few years, and still has the characteristics of a wild plant. Those characteristics that differ from cultivated plants are its propensity to seed shatter, its indeterminate flowering nature, and its overall stickiness. If these wild traits can be overcome, Cuphea's chemistry, coupled with the annual and therefore renewable nature of the plant, certainly can make it a new crop. Germination in central European climate is slow (14 - 20 days) even in late May after the last frosts, but this is made up for by quick growth and early seed ripening. Germination is slowed by the thick seed hull. The first seed is produced six weeks after sowing in the greenhouse. Plants are generally short-lived[3].
Propagation
Seed - can be sown in situ after the last expected frosts[3]. In order to obtain larger plants, extend the growing season and hopefully achieve larger yields of seeds, the seeds can be sown in a greenhouse in early spring at around 21°c. Germination usually takes a few weeks because of the hard seed coat. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out after the last expected frosts[3]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Cuphea+ignea>
Pollinators
Lepidoptera, Humming birds
References
- [1]Desert Tropicals — http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ ↩︎The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
- [2]KemperCentreForHomeGardeningPlantFinder — Missouri Botanical Garden · http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/ ↩︎Basic cultivation details, plant uses, habitat etc for several thousand species of plants, mainly from the temperate zone.
- [3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [4]Flowers of India — http://www.flowersofindia.net/ ↩︎A wed site of native Indian plants, plus cultivated and naturalized species. It has good quality photos and terse details on more than 3,000 species and cultivars.
- [5]Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk — http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html ↩︎A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands.
- [6]The National Non-Food Crops Centre Crop Database — http://www.nnfcc.co.uk/crops/pd.cfm ↩︎An excellent on-line information source, with information on over 100 species (as of 2006) of plants being investigated as bio-crops.
- [7]Minor Oil Crops — Axtell. B.L.; Fairman. R.M. · FAO; Rome. · 1992 · http://www.fao.org/docrep/X5043E/x5043E00.htm#Contents · ISBN 92-5-103128-2 ↩︎A well-written small guide that includes information on over 20 species. Also available for download from the internet.