The cigar plant, also known as the firecracker plant, Mexican cigar plant, cigar flower, cuphea ignea, Mexican heather or Mexican cigar, is a flowering plant species known for it is densely branched and tropical evergreen subshrubs.
The plant is native to Mexico and Jamaica and is highly adaptable to hot tropical environments.
These densely branched subshrubs will thrive in your gardens outdoors if you live in a temperate zone.
Why Is It Called a Cigar Plant?
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The cigar plant gets its name from its tubular red-orange flowers with black and white tips. The shape and appearance of these flowers resemble a lit cigar.
Introduction to Cigar Plant
Cigar plants are stunning additions to garden buds that receive enough light. These tropical evergreen subshrubs are very popular due to their easy-to-grow nature.
The cigar plant is resistant to diseases and is somewhat drought resistant. These plants bloom all year, which is why they are favored as landscaping plants.
Appearance
The cigar plant produces terrific foliage that appears densely branched and bushy, giving the plant an overall rounded and neat shape.
The leaves of a cigar plant are lance-shaped, dark green and pointed. This plant is a fantastic addition to any garden bed or container, as it boasts its fiery red-orange flowers bloom all year.
The flowers produce nectar which attracts plenty of hummingbirds.
Size
The cigar plant can grow up to 30 inches in height. People prefer to spread them as a shrub border outdoors, group them or plant them among other plants.
Cigar plants can be kept as a permanent addition to garden beds as the all-year flowering will add exciting features to any houseplant’s collection
Cigar Plant Care
Understanding that cigar plants grow best in bright and direct sunlight is essential. These plants need a location where they will be exposed to full sun, which is vital for their bright leaf color development and their characteristic red tinge.
Providing adequate warmth, moisture and light to the cigar plant will reward you with healthy and beautiful dark green foliage and its delicate and bright flowers.
How Much Water Do Cigar Plants Need?
A cigar plant soil must always be moist, but allow it to dry out a little between watering.
Cigar plants prefer adequate watering amounts for proper blooming, and the dense plants in the ground require a good deal of watering. Cigar plants prefer moist soil, primarily through their actively growing seasons.
What Should I Consider Before Watering My Cigar Plant?
You must allow the top 2 inches of the plant to dry out before you water it again. An excessive amount of watering can lead to root rot disease development.
Even though cigar plants are drought resistant, exposing them to hot temperatures and less watering is unwise as it can affect the array of flowering. Drying out your cigar plant now and then will affect its healthy appearance.
However, you must taper the watering frequency in winter while keeping the plant moderately moist.
What Is the Temperature Tolerance of a Cigar Plant?
Cigar plant natively belongs to tropical regions, which is why these plants thrive in warm temperatures and likely die if exposed to frost and sudden cold spells.
You must place cigar plants in sheltered areas protected from chilly solid winds and frost. If the cigar plant is planted in containers, you can bring them to grow indoors in warmer rooms.
Cigar plants can only tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F, so if you live in a region where temperatures can drop below that in colder months, you must protect and maintain your cigar plant accordingly.
How Much Humidity Do Cigar Plants Appreciate?
Cigar houseplants like regular misting as it resembles their native humid habitats.
If you live in an area where weather conditions can become overly dry, then you can provide adequate humidity to your cigar plant by placing it on a pebble tray or placing a small humidifier near them.
Avoid placing your cigar plant pot near air conditioning or heating vents, as such areas have fluctuating humidity levels.
Where Should I Place My Cigar Plant?
If you live in temperature regions where your cigar plant can enjoy warm temperatures throughout the year, you can place your cigar plant in a full-sun location.
However, it is essential to provide them partial shade if your area can get too windy and chilly for your cigar plant.
You must provide your cigar plant with adequate sunlight, which will prevent the development of brown patches on its leaves.
Firecracker Plant Problems
Low Temperatures
The most common problem that cigar plants or firecracker plants face is low temperatures in winter. You must overwinter your cigar plant by moving it indoors or planting it in a warm location outdoors where the cigar plant gets enough sun and is protected from winds and frost.
How to Properly Grow a Cigar Plant
When a cigar plant is exposed to too much sunlight, it can become scraggly and unkempt.
Pinching
Pinching is an essential technique that allows a cigar plant to grow new branches and leaves. It also involves removing plant buds to discourage uneven and sparse growth of the cigar plant.
How Often Should I Apply Fertilizers to My Cigar Plant?
Apply balanced liquid fertilizers every few weeks to encourage proper flowering in a cigar plant. It is not necessary to use fertilizers during the winter seasons.
A cigar plant needs fertilizers in early spring to ensure a good start. You can keep feeding it through fall as the plant profusely flowers in these months.
Conclusion
A cigar plant is an excellent landscaping plant that looks great individually or when placed in combination with other houseplants. With the proper techniques and devotion, you can grow it beautifully and allow it to bloom year-round.
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