The bat-faced cuphea is a charming little plant that makes a fantastic addition to any garden. With its fuzzy leaves and unique flowers that resemble cute little bat faces, it’s easy to see why this plant has become so popular. When it comes to getting the right size bat-faced cuphea for your needs, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
How Big Do Bat-Faced Cupheas Grow?
Bat-faced cupheas are relatively small plants, reaching about 12-18 inches tall and wide when grown as annuals. However, in ideal conditions, they can grow up to 2.5 feet tall. The plants have a rounded, bushy habit with multiple spreading stems covered in pointed, hairy ovate leaves. The foliage remains fresh all season with proper watering.
Best Uses Based on Bat-Faced Cuphea Size
The petite size of bat-faced cupheas makes them perfect for containers and hanging baskets. A single plant can fill out a 10-12 inch pot nicely. For in-ground planting, space plants 12-18 inches apart in beds and borders. Their short stature also suits them well for edging paths and walkways.
Bat-faced cupheas work beautifully in groupings and mass plantings where their colors and textures can make a big impact. Try planting a drift of them as an annual groundcover. You can also mix them into patio pots with other heat-loving annuals like lantana zinnias and Mexican sunflowers.
Tips for Controlling the Size of Your Bat-Faced Cuphea
While bat-faced cupheas are naturally compact plants, you can take a few steps to keep them at their tidiest size:
-
Pinch or trim back leggy stems in late spring to promote bushiness. Take cuttings to propagate more plants.
-
Provide full sun and well-drained soil for optimal growth. Insufficient light and overly rich soil cause leggy growth.
-
Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Too much moisture can lead to weak, lanky growth
-
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. This fuels growth for maximum blooms.
-
Bring potted plants indoors before the first frost. The reduced light keeps them compact over winter.
Ideal Conditions for Growing Bat-Faced Cupheas
Bat-faced cupheas thrive in hot, sunny conditions similar to their native Mexico and Central America. Here are their ideal growing requirements:
-
Sun: Full sun to partial shade. More sun promotes a compact shape.
-
Soil Well-draining and moderately fertile. Avoid wet dense soil.
-
Water: Average moisture. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
-
Temperature: Above 60°F. They love summer heat.
-
Hardiness: Grown as annuals in zones 8-11. May overwinter in zone 9 with protection.
-
Fertilizer: Apply a balanced liquid or slow-release fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
Providing the right conditions will ensure your bat-faced cupheas grow to be a perfect petite size for your garden or containers. With a little care, you can enjoy these adorable little plants and their cute batty blooms for months.
Cuphea ignea “Cigar Plant”
This was the first Cuphea I ever grew- twenty years ago- and is responsible for my general obsession with this genus. There is never a day this isn’t in bloom, and therefore there is never a moment that bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, moths and more aren’t hovering around it. I like to pair this ‘Alabama Sunset’ coleus, and use that combo in key areas of my garden, like corners to cause visitors to stop in their tracks in awe!
Cuphea blepharophylla Cuphea cyanea Cuphea hyssopifolia Cuphea ignea Cuphea llavea Cuphea micropetala
What Size Bat For a Youth Baseball Player Bat Sizing Guide
FAQ
How big does bat faced Cuphea get?
How big does Cuphea grow?
|
Genus Name
|
Cuphea spp.
|
|
Common Name
|
Cuphea
|
|
Plant Type
|
Annual
|
|
Light
|
Sun
|
|
Height
|
1 to 3 feet
|
How do you care for a bat faced Cuphea plant?
Will Cuphea come back every year?
How big does a bat face Cuphea grow?
The dense, bright green foliage provides a perfect backdrop for the masses of colorful, nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Bat face cuphea reaches mature heights of 18 to 24 inches (45-60 cm.) with a spread of 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm.). Read on for helpful information about growing a bat faced cuphea flower.
What is a bat face Cuphea plant?
Native to Central America and Mexico, bat face cuphea plant (Cuphea llavea) is named for its interesting little bat-faced blooms of deep purple and bright red. Read this article for helpful informatio
How tall do orange bat-faced Cuphea grow?
Orange bat-faced cuphea ( Cuphea oreophila) is one of several species closely related to llavea which tend to share its name. This fast-growing sub-shrub may attain a height of 2 ½’ feet tall when grown as a perennial but tends to only reach 12″ to 18″ inches tall if grown as an annual.
How do you grow a bat-faced Cuphea?
Grow bat-faced cuphea in full sun in the ground or in containers. Provide regular moisture, although plants will tolerate dry conditions occasionally. Fertilize plants in containers several times during the summer months. Pinch back or shear if plants become too leggy later in the growing season.