Don’t you just love unusual plant names? There are species with names like turpentine bush, and of course there’s snake plant and Persian shield, too.
As you might guess, this plant’s sweet little flowers resemble bat faces, with two perfectly colored upper petals that pop up like a bat’s ears, and other little petals that are arranged just so and look like a little bat face.
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Grown as an annual in much of the country, bat-faced cuphea is evergreen to the upper 20s°F and root hardy to the lower 20s°F. In some areas, it will die to the ground and – with heavy mulching – grow back from the roots.
This loose shrub is part of a family of about 115 species, some of which have equally interesting names, such as cigar plant.
The open-pollinated form of the plant displays flowers that are deep purple, white, and red, but newer cultivars are available in a variety of colors. More on those shortly.
While bees, butterflies, and birds may not be fans of the flying mammals, they do indeed favor the nectar of the eponymous plant.
This subshrub begins producing clusters of numerous flowers in late spring, and continues to bloom until frost. It’s native to Mexico and Central America.
Bat-faced cuphea can be propagated from seed or via stem cuttings, or you can transplant nursery starts into the garden.
You can sow cuphea seeds directly in the garden when all danger of frost has passed, or you can start seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost date.
Scatter seeds on top of soil and sprinkle a light coating of milled peat over them. Don’t completely bury the seeds, as they need light to germinate.
You can propagate cuphea from softwood cuttings. Softwood is a plant stem that is well-developed but not old and woody.
With clean and sharp shears, cut four- to six-inch stems from a healthy plant. Fill small pots with an all-purpose soil mix and insert and remove a pencil to create a hole for the cutting.
Remove the lower leaves from your cutting, dip the cut end into rooting hormone, and place in the hole.
Place a plastic dome or clear plastic bag over the pot or pots to create a little terrarium. Put it in bright, indirect light.
If you can find live plants, simply place the root ball into a hole about the same size as the container from which you are transplanting
In many parts of the country, this plant is grown in full sun. In hot zones such as Central Texas and the Arizona desert, however, it needs a little – or even more than a little – shade.
This plant is quite heat- and drought-tolerant, though it might be a bit happier and grow a bit larger with regular watering. It is prone to root rot, so don’t overwater it, especially in heavy clay soils.
Feed in springtime with a slow-release fertilizer, or monthly throughout the growing season with an all-purpose fertilizer.
You can perform some light tip pruning or pinching if plants become too leggy. Additionally, you might want to do a late-winter shape-up, trimming the plant into a nice form.
As we mentioned above, there are several colorful cultivars available commercially. Be aware, however, that with some of these newer varieties, the bat’s face is less obvious in the flower’s form.
You can find packets of 15 seeds of ‘Sriracha Rose’ bat-faced cuphea, which features a rosy-red bloom available via Burpee. This compact plant has large petals with a papery consistency.
Other cultivars include ‘Tiny Mice,’ a small plant that produces flowers with two small red-orange petals.
Bat faced cuphea (Cuphea llavea) is a fun and easy-to-grow annual flower known for its unique flowers that look like little bat faces. With proper planting, these heat and drought tolerant beauties will reward you with months of color in beds, borders, and containers. Read on to learn exactly how deep to plant them.
An Overview of Bat Faced Cuphea
Native to Mexico and Central America, bat faced cuphea is a fast-growing tender perennial subshrub. In most climates, it is grown as an annual and may reach 1-2 feet tall and 1-1.5 feet wide.
The oval green leaves remain fresh all season with regular watering. From late spring until frost, small tubular flowers emerge from hairy purple buds in leaf axils. Each 1-inch bloom has a furry purple “face” with two bright red upper petals forming “ears”, resembling a tiny bat.
Bat faced cuphea thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil It attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. With minimal care, these tough plants have few problems with pests or diseases.
How Deep to Plant Bat Faced Cuphea Seeds
If starting bat faced cuphea from seed indoors, sow seeds in cell packs or flats 10-12 weeks before your last expected frost. Press the tiny seeds into the soil surface and sprinkle with a light layer of milled peat moss. Seeds need light to germinate so don’t cover completely.
Maintain a temperature around 70°F until germination, which takes 8-10 days. Once seedlings emerge provide plenty of light. Harden off plants for 7-10 days before transplanting into the garden after all danger of frost.
When direct sowing seeds in the garden, wait until 2-3 weeks after the last spring frost. Prepare the planting bed with compost dug in to a depth of 6 inches. Scatter seeds on the soil surface, press lightly to ensure good contact, and cover with 1/8 inch of fine soil or peat moss. Water gently to avoid washing away seeds.
Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart when the first true leaves appear.
How Deep to Plant Store-Bought Starts
For the easiest grow, look for bat faced cuphea transplants at local nurseries and garden centers in spring. Choose stocky plants with healthy foliage and no signs of disease or pests.
To plant, dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the root ball. Carefully remove the plant from its nursery pot, loosen any circling roots, and place it in the hole.
Backfill with native soil, pressing firmly around the roots to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly.
How Deep to Plant Potted Bat Faced Cuphea
For a continuous bloom display on a deck or patio, bat faced cuphea makes an excellent container plant. Choose a container at least 10-12 inches wide with drainage holes. Use a quality potting mix for flowers and vegetables.
Sprinkle a handful of slow-release fertilizer on the bottom of the pot for a feeding boost. Place the root ball of your nursery plant on top and backfill with potting mix up to the same depth the plant was originally growing. You can also start plants from seed in cell packs, transplanting them into containers once they have 3-4 true leaves.
As the roots fill out the pot, you may need to switch to a larger container during the season to accommodate growth. To transplant into a bigger pot, water the plant well and gently slide it out. Place it in the new pot at the same depth and firm the mix around the root ball.
Optimal Planting Depth
When planting bat faced cuphea in the ground or containers, the ideal depth is even with the soil line on the stem where it was originally growing. Planting too shallowly can cause problems with drying out, poor growth, and flopping over. Burying the stem too deeply risks root rot from excess moisture.
Aim to position the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil. The crown where stems emerge should be right at the soil surface. Grab a garden trowel and check planting depth if you notice any issues after transplanting. Adjust as needed by loosening the roots and moving the plant up or down.
Provide Proper Care for Success
To keep your bat faced cuphea thriving after planting, be sure to provide the growing conditions it needs:
- At least 6 hours of direct sun daily
- Loose, fertile soil enriched with compost
- Consistent moisture, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings
- Good drainage
- Monthly fertilization
- Afternoon shade in peak summer where temperatures exceed 90°F
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers. Pinch back leggy stems to promote bushiness. Move container plants to a bright, cool spot indoors before frost.
With the right start planted at the proper depth, bat faced cuphea will burst into bloom and give you a beautiful batty display for months on end! Let those little furry faces flutter in your sunny garden this season.
Frequency of Entities:
how deep: 18
bat faced cuphea: 16
plant: 15
seed: 5
soil: 10
container: 5
flower: 5
bloom: 4
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Annual in most of the U.S., tender perennial in warmer climates | Flower / Foliage Color: | Red, black, or purple open-pollinated flowers; cultivars have various bloom colors; bright green foliage |
| Native to: | Mexico, Central America | Maintenance: | Minimal |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 10-12 | Tolerance: | Heat, drought |
| Bloom Time: | Late spring until first frost | Soil Type: | Rich, organic |
| Exposure: | Full sun to part shade, depending on how brutal your sun is | Soil pH: | 6.1-7.8 |
| Growth Rate: | Fast | Soil Drainage: | Well-draining |
| Spacing: | 24-36 inches | Companion Planting: | Impatiens, roses |
| Planting Depth: | Transplants: same depth as container from which you are transplanting Seeds: on top of soil with light sprinkling of milled peat | Uses: | Ornamental, specimen, bird gardens |
| Height: | 18-30 inches | Attracts: | Hummingbirds, butterflies |
| Spread: | 12-18 inches | Family: | Lythraceae |
| Water Needs: | Moist but not wet, drought-tolerant but does better with regular watering | Genus: | Cuphea |
| Pests & Diseases: | Resistant to most pests and diseases, can get stem rot from waterlogged soil. | Species: | ilavea |
Managing Pests and Diseases
This plant has no serious insect or disease problems. It is deer-resistant.
Bat-faced cuphea makes a nice container plant, particularly if you need to overwinter it indoors.
Many gardeners enjoy this plant in hanging baskets, and some use it as a houseplant year ‘round. Don’t let your container dry out, and make sure the plant gets four hours of bright sunlight each day!
They’re suitable for borders, beds or path edging. They are particularly pretty in masses.
Bat Face Cuphea Plant (Cuphea llavea) And Cutting Propagation
FAQ
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