How to Grow and Care for Mexican Heather

Mexican heather, also known as false heather or elfin herb,is a small shrub with trumpet-shaped, colorful flowers that are known to attract pollinators. This warm-weather plant thrives in full sunlight, preferring moist but well-draining soil. Mexican heather tolerates high heat and high humidity, making it ideal for warmer zones.

Mexican Heather Care

This small shrub is easy to care for and catches the eye in a hanging basket. Here are the main care requirements for growing Mexican heather:

• Choosy a sunny location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight.
• Prepare moist but well-draining soil that leans slightly acidic, if possible.
• Water regularly, though Mexican heather is somewhat drought-tolerant.
• Feed consistently throughout the growing season with all-purpose fertilizer.
  

Light

Give it full sun or light shade. While Mexican heather does well in full sun, the foliage stays a little greener in part shade.

Soil

Plant Mexican heather in average, well-drained loam or clay. Slightly acidic soil is best with a low pH between 5.5 and 7. In desert alkaline soils common to the dry heat of Phoenix, the plant may be prone to yellow leaf chlorosis. Amend the soil by mixing in peat moss or using acid forming fertilizers.

Water

Mexican heather thrives with lots of moisture even though it is considered to be a "mesic" plant. Water regularly or, if needed, heavily in such desert landscapes, though this plant can survive some drought.

Temperature and Humidity

Evergreen in warm climates or indoors, Mexican heather is hardy in USDA Zones 9b through 11. Growing best in temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, it tolerates high summer heat and some drought. It will not tolerate frost, but it can survive chilling temperatures as low as 35 degrees. Mexican heather may survive in Zone 9a if protected from hard freezes. In colder climates, grow this plant as an annual.

Fertilizer

Mulch generously with organic matter. Feed the plant often with a light fertilizer.

Types of Mexican Heather

While Mexican Heather usually comes in purple, some cultivars are white or pink.

• C. hyssopifolia 'FloriGlory™ Corazon' has light violet purple flowers.
• C. hyssopifolia ‘Mexican Heather White’ grows vigorously in Florida.
• C. hyssopifolia 'FloriGlory Diana' boasts magenta flowers that are especially large and abundant in number.

Pruning

Pruning Mexican heather isn't necessary, but if you want to achieve a desired shape, prune in late winter or early spring before the growing season starts. Use clean pruning shears.

Propagating Mexican Heather

Mexican heather can be propagated by seed, by division, or by taking cuttings. Here's how to propagate the plant via cuttings:

1. Cut a healthy stem at a 45-degree angle, making sure a couple of nodes are included.
2. Remove leaves from the bottom of the cutting.
3. Optionally, apply rooting hormone to the cut.
4. Plant the cutting in a small pot of moist soil.
5. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, until roots grow.
6. Transplant when the new plant begins to put out new growth.
   

How to Grow Mexican Heather from Seed

Mexican heather can be started indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date or direct sown. Here are the main steps:

1. To speed up germination, soak seeds in warm water for a few hours.
2. Then, sprinkle the seeds on top of moist soil, and cover them very lightly with more soil.
3. Keep the soil damp until the seeds germinate, which can take months.
4. As soon as germination occurs, make sure the seedlings are in sunlight.
   

Common Pests

Though rare to Mexican heather, keep an eye out for nematodes, mites, and caterpillars. Nematodes can weaken the plant to the point of decline and flea beetles can leave a plant completely barren of leaves.

How to Get Mexican Heather to Bloom

Mexican heather should bloom readily year after year in areas where it's perennial, provided it's getting enough light and nutrients.

Bloom Months

Mexican heather usually begins blooming around June and will continue to do so until frost.

What Do Mexican Heather Flowers Look and Smell Like?

The flowers on Mexican heather plants are small, dainty, and trumpet-shaped, available in a variety of pinks, purples, and white. They have a light, floral smell that doesn't stand out much.

How to Encourage More Blooms

To encourage more blooms, make sure Mexican heather is planted in nutrient-rich soil or keep a tight fertilizing schedule. You can also try moving it to a sunnier spot. Deadheading will not make a difference.

• What is the difference between Mexican heather and the European family of heathers?

  The Cuphea genus is made of more than 200 hundred species. The species name "hyssopifolia" suggests its similarity to the foliage of the herb hyssop. Heather(Calluna vulgaris)needs cool weather and only partial sun, unlike Mexican heather.

• Can Mexican heather be grown indoors?

  Yes, and you can overwinter plants in containers in warm, sunny spots of your home.
  

• Is Mexican heather a good groundcover?

  Yes, due to its spreading nature and perennial habit, this plant is ideal as a groundcover, adding color to the landscape.

From: thespruce