Cigar Plant

The perfect indoor pot plant. Cuphea ignea is sure to spark up conversation with its profusion of unusual, tubular red blooms, tipped with purpe and white that look so much like tiny burning cigars. Looks great as an indoor hanging basket.


Sow seeds on the surface of a good, freedraining, damp, seed compost. Then lightly cover, 3mm (1/8in ) deep with vermiculite or compost. Place container in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag at a temperature of 18-20˚C (64-68˚F) until after germination which usually takes 10-15 days.


Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle, taking care not to damage the fragile roots, into 9cm (4in) pots. When roots have filled these pots, set into final containers and provide climbing supports.