Cigar plant (Cuphea ignea)
Care, watering, light and tips for Cigar plant on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Lythraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Cigar plant
Cuphea ignea, commonly known as Cigarette Plant or Firecracker Plant, is a small perennial shrub native to Mexico. Its distinctive tubular, orange-red flowers, resembling lit cigarettes, make it ideal for borders, containers, and as an accent plant in tropical or subtropical gardens. It is a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Native range
Mexico and the Caribbean
Care tips
It thrives in full sun to partial shade, where it will bloom most profusely. Requires regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially in warm climates. Use a well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowering.
How to save a dying Cigar plant
- Warning signs
- Wilted or yellowing leaves, dropping flowers or buds, leggy growth. May indicate lack of water or heat stress.
- First aid
- Check soil moisture. If dry, water thoroughly. If in intense direct sun, move to partial shade.
- What kills it
- Complete drying out of soil or constant waterlogging. Extreme cold or frost are also lethal for this tropical plant.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not rotted or completely dry. Act quickly with watering and sun/cold protection.