Mexican Heather

 

Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) is a small, bushy evergreen shrub known for its fine, fern-like foliage and tiny, delicate flowers that bloom in shades of purple, pink, or white. It’s low-maintenance, heat-tolerant, and often used in borders, containers, or shaped into topiaries. Ideal for adding soft texture and color to gardens or patios.

We carry a variety of Mexican Heather in several pots sizes. Most common options are 4″, 5″, and 8″ clay pots in the single ball form. 

We grow Mexican Heather plants in the following forms:

  • Single and double
  • Espalier 

 

Common Name:

Mexican Heather /  False Heather

Mature Size:

Usually 1-2 ft tall when planted in a container. 

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Optimum Temperature:

60-80 degrees fahrenheit

Characteristics:

Compact, bushy evergreen shrub, T

Light:

Indoor: Well-lit room, bright indirect to direct sunlight. South or west facing windows.

Outdoor: Hardy to USDA zones 9 to 11. The plant prefers full to partial sun.

Water:

Indoor: Water thoroughly when surface soil begins to dry. Both over and under watering can be harmful to this plant.

Outdoor: Water the plant deeply once a week.

Fertalizer:

During the growing season, March through September, fertilize your topiaries with a 20-20-20 fertilizer every couple of weeks. When you bring it in for the winter,  cut back feeding to once a month or once every other month.

Common Pests/Issues:

Watch carefully for aphids, spider mites, Mealybugs, and Whiteflies on this plant’s foliage. Common problem frequent to this plant is powdery mildew when kept in humid environments.

Additional Notes:

In northern climates, bring plants indoors to overwinter. Prune the plant after blooming. If you wish for it to grow into a small tree, simply remove the spent blooms and clean out any dead or diseased wood. For a hedge, sheer the plant to the size desired. Bonsai and topiary forms take more training, which should be started in infancy.