An unusual evergreen tender dwarf shrub the Cigar plant is certainly a talking point! It can be grown as a houseplant when it will be in flower for most of the year, or grown as a tender annual in your garden. It produces small glossy green foliage and abundant red tubular flowers tipped with white making them look like little lit cigars. In their native Mexico these would be attractive to Hummingbirds.
Cuphea ignea needs a sunny spot and moist but well drained compost. Approx height and spread 30cm.
Sow seeds in seed compost in trays or pots in a propagator or on a windowsill from February to April, they need light to germinate so barely cover with soil. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, germination takes 7-21 days with a temperature of 18-20°c. When seedlings are large enough transplant in to individual 9cm pots. Growing tips can be pinched out to encourage bushy growth.
