Bat-Faced Cuphea
Location
Butterfly Garden
- Common name: Bat-faced cuphea, Cuphea, St. Peter’s plant, Tiny Mice, Bunny Ears
- Scientific name: Cuphea llavea
- Family name: Lythraceae
- Origin: Mexico
- Height: 18-30 inches
- Width: 24-36 inches
- Growth: Moderate
- Zone: 8a-11
- Light needs: Full sun
- Salt tolerance: Moderate
- Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers well-drained, moist soil with a neutral pH (pH 6.6 – 7.3)
- Moisture: Moderate water needs – should be watered regularly, but not overwatered
- Drought tolerance: High
- Pests/diseases: Aphids, white flies, and powdery mildew may be a problem; otherwise, Bat-Faced cuphea is not very susceptible to pests/diseases
- Growing conditions: Best grown in an open, sunny area with well-drained, moist soil. It is a low-maintenance plant, and able to survive in dry conditions. It can be planted in a container or directly in the ground.
- Characteristics: Leaves are simple, ovate, 1-3 inches long, and hairy. Leaves grow decussate along the stems. Stems are yellow-green and flexible. Flowers are tubular and grow in small clusters near the ends of stems. The flowers are bright red and purple, and the petals are arranged in a way that resembles a bat’s face.
- Propagation: By seeds or by stem cuttings
- Wildlife: Flowers attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, moths, and hummingbirds
- Facts: There are several cultivars of this plant, such as “Torpedo” and “Flamenco”, that produce even larger flowers, or even magenta flowers instead of red and purple ones.
- Designer considerations: Great as a border plant, walkway plant, or for mass plantings. Its attractiveness to pollinators makes it a good choice for a butterfly garden or hummingbird garden.
