The cigar plant, Cuphea ignea is a low-growing tender perennial shrub native to Mexico and parts of the West Indies.Cigar plants belong to the Lythraceae family, which includes over 600 species of shrubs and herbs.The slender, tube-shaped flowers of the cuphea ignea are responsible for the common name of the plant. Most people call it the cigar plant.The plant name is derived from the unique tubular flowers. The name “ignea” is Latin for “fire.”This hardy plant is suited for growing indoors or outdoors around a patio, where it can spread out with its short foliage.The low-growing plant produces reddish stems that sprout waxy, dark green leaves.It rarely reaches over 15″ inches and can spread several feet if allowed to grow in a garden bed.To create a fuller appearance in a planter or window box, group several plants in the same container.
