Meet the tiny plant with big charm—and flowers that just don’t quit.

Want a plant that looks fancy but acts easy? Say hi to Mexican heather. It’s cute, tough, and full of tiny blooms. Your porch, patio, or garden bed will thank you.

Quick answer

Mexican heather is a small, evergreen shrub called Cuphea hyssopifolia. It makes lots of tiny purple, pink, or white flowers and fine, glossy leaves. It grows in warm places, loves sun, and blooms for a long time.

What it looks like (so you can spot it)

• Size: about 1–2 feet tall and wide
• Leaves: small, shiny, bright green
• Flowers: tiny and many—purple, pink, or white
• Shape: neat little mound, soft and airy

Why gardeners love it

• Blooms for months in warm weather
• Great in pots, borders, and edges
• Attracts bees and butterflies
• Low mess, low stress, high color

Where it grows best

Mexican heather likes warm zones (about USDA 9–11). In cooler places, grow it as an annual, bring it inside before frost, or keep it in a pot you can move.

Sun, water, and soil (the simple rules)

• Sun: Full sun to part shade. In very hot summers, give afternoon shade.
• Water: Keep soil evenly moist the first few weeks. After that, water when the top inch is dry.
• Soil: Light, well-drained soil is best. Soggy soil = sad roots.
• Food: A gentle, balanced plant food once a month in spring and summer helps more blooms.

Perfect for small spaces (yes, even balconies)

Use one plant per 8–10 inch pot, or three plants in a 12–14 inch pot for a fuller look. Try a bright Talavera-style planter for extra pop. Place by a sunny door or window for daily joy.

Design mini-recipes (mix and match)

• Sunny Border: Mexican heather + dwarf marigolds + blue salvia
• Pollinator Pot: Mexican heather + lantana + trailing verbena
• Calm Corner: Mexican heather + dusty miller + white alyssum
• Fiesta Window Box: Mexican heather + red geraniums + lime sweet potato vine

Pruning and care hacks

• Pinch the tips once in spring to keep it bushy.
• Snip off spent blooms to nudge new ones.
• If it gets leggy, give a light trim. It bounces back fast.
• Mulch to keep roots cool and soil moist.

Common oops—and easy fixes

• Few flowers? Needs more sun or a light feeding.
• Yellow leaves? Check drainage; don’t overwater.
• Frost alert: Bring pots inside before a cold snap.

Fun facts to tell a friend

• It’s called “heather,” but it’s not a true heather. It’s a Cuphea.
• In warm places, it can flower almost year-round.
• Tiny flowers, big pollinator party—bees and butterflies love it.

Quick start guide (clip and keep)

• Planting time: After danger of frost
• Light: 6+ hours sun (some shade in extreme heat)
• Water: Deep, then dry a little; don’t soak
• Soil: Drains well; add compost for fluff
• Fertilizer: Light monthly feed in growing season
• Height/Spread: 12–24 inches

One-minute makeover ideas

• Line a walkway with a row of Mexican heather for a soft, glowing edge.
• Pop one into a bright ceramic pot by your mailbox—instant charm.
• Tuck into a herb bed as a pretty filler between basil and thyme.

Bottom line

Mexican heather is a small, evergreen bloomer that’s easy to grow, easy to love, and perfect for pots, borders, and tiny spaces. Give it sun, good drainage, and light care—and enjoy a long parade of tiny flowers.

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