Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea) Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea) grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight, cool to average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Cuphea ignea also called Cigar Flower or Mexican Cigar Plant is among the popular flowering plants bearing a profusion of tubular, cigar-shaped flowers among the smooth narrow 2 inches long leaves.
Mexican Cigar Plant is one of the fast-growing plants which reaches its full height in one year. It requires regular pruning to keep it compact and bushy.
Botanical name: Cuphea ignea
Family: Lythraceae
Common Names: Cigar Plant, Cigar Flower, Mexican Cigar Plant
Origin
Cuphea ignea is a tropical densely branched evergreen shrub native to Mexico and West Indies.
Size
Mexican Cigar Plant is a compact plant which grows to a height of 1 ft only which places it among the best plants for small spaces in the home or any other place.
Flower
Cigar Plant flowers come in a profusion, are tubular, cigar-shaped in orange, Pink, Purple, Red, White and Yellow. On account of its magnificent flowers and love for sunshine, Mexican Cigar Plant is one of the best plants for a sunny balcony.
Toxicity
According to Pond Informer, Cigar Plant is not known to have any toxic effects on humans or animals. It is considered as one of the plants that are safe for cats and dogs and you may grow in the home.
Where to Buy
Cigar Plants are a valuable addition to your collection, you may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Cigar Plant Care Indoors
Cigar Plant blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, cool to average warmth of 15-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Cuphea ignea requires regular pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as promote flowering. Repotting is necessary only when it becomes pot-bound as it blooms best when root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Cigar Plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Reduce watering during the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can result in root-rot. Learn how to water houseplants the correct way.
Light Requirements
Cigar Plant grows best in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. Bright light is necessary for development of the bright leaf color with reddish-purple leaf tips.
Mexican Cigar Plant can also grow under grow lights where natural light is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent legginess.
Temperature and Humidity
Cool to average warmth of 15-260C with a minimum of 100C is ideal for Cigar Plant. Keep it away from cold and hot draughts to prevent sudden changes in temperature.
Cuphea ignea has no need for extra humidity, moderate room humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. Nonetheless, where the air is too dry, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity. Check out these techniques on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Occasionally damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pests and diseases infestation. Make sure that there is good ventilation to minimize occurence of fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Cigar Plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season for lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Regularly flush out excess fertilizers from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holes, allow it to run for at least 10 minutes.
Potting Soil
Cigar Plant soil should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Cigar Plant during the growing season only when the plant is pot-bound as it blooms best when slightly pot-bound. Do not repot a plant that is in flower as it can shorten the flowering period.
Use a pot that is only one size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant. Check out these pots with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Cigar Plant is easy. Remove dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy. Remove spent flowers to encourage it to produce more blooms.
Cutback the straggly stems with a sharp, sterilized knife or pair of scossors at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth. Learn more on how to prune houseplants.
Propagation
Cuphea ignea propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings or by seeds.
Cigar Plant propagation from stem-tip cuttings
Take 4-6 inches stem-tip cuttings from a healthy Cigar Plant and strip off the lower leaves.
Insert the cuttings in moist free-draining soil and place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist through out until the new Cigar Flowers are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Cigar Plant propagation from seeds
Spread the Cigar Plant seeds evenly on moist free-draining soil and slightly cover with some soil.
Cover the set up with a clear plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect and place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist through out by gently misting the soil surface.
Transplant the seedlings into individual pots when they are well established. For a fuller plant, transplant several seedlings into one pot.
Place the seedlings in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and the new Mexican Cigar Plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Cuphea ignea Common Problems
Cigar Plant problems include leaf drop, brown leaves, lack of blooms, loss of leaf color pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
Common pests in Cigar Plant are thrips and aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with a horticultural oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
Diseases
Cigar Plant is prone to root-rot which is brought about by soggy soil. Never allow the plant to sit in soggy soil; ensure that there is good drainage of both the pot and the soil.
No blooms
Cigar Plant will not bloom if the light is too little. Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some direct sunlight or instal grow lights if the natural light is not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
The second reason why Mexican Cigar Plant is not blooming is feeding it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer which promotes vegetative growth at the expense of flower production. Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season but do not feed it in the cold season. Learn how to feed houseplants.
Dropping leaves
There are two possible reasons for leaf drop in Cigar Plant. One possible reason is cold drafts which cause sudden drops in the temperature. Keep the plant away from cold drafts from drafy windows and doors to prevent sudden drops in temperature and maintain an average warmth of 15-260C. Take a look at this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
The second possible reason for leaf drop in Mexican Cigar Plant is dry air (low humidity) as it thrives in a humid enviroment. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Loss of leaf color
Cigar Plant is losing its leaf color due to inadequate light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine to promote development of the bright leaf color with reddish-purple leaf tips.
Brown leaves
Brown leaves in Cigar Plant are caused by too hot direct sunlight on the plant. The plant requires bright light with some direct sunlight but not the hot midday sun.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.