The variety of quiver flowers is impressive and it captivates with a unique flower. The subtropical species even thrive in our gardens.
The best-known quiver flower is probably the Japanese myrtle, but the cigarette flower and the bat face are also very popular. The unusual name also includes special flowers. We introduce the species and show how to plant and care for them.
Cuphea: characteristics and origin
The quiver flowers (Cuphea) is a genus of plants that includes about 250 different species. They belong to the Lythraceae family and occur naturally in South and Central America. The tropical and subtropical plants grow herbaceously, as climbing plants or as subshrubs. Some species can also be kept in our latitudes in the garden or in pots. In contrast to their tropical homeland, many remain only annuals in our low winter temperatures. When kept in pots and overwintered appropriately for the species, most dandelion flowers can even grow here for several years. In the summer, most of the cadaver flowers are in bloom. Each species develops individual, decorative flowers that not only delight us humans.
Is the quiver flower bee-friendly? Here, too, quiver flowers are bee-friendly and attract a wide variety of insects with their nectar and showy flowers.
The most beautiful species and varieties
Some of the numerous Cuphea species can also be kept as garden or house plants. We present the most popular. There are different varieties of each species, which mostly differ in the color of the flowers.
- Cuphea ignea: The so-called cigarette quiver flower forms elongated, tubular and bright red flowers that are reminiscent of smoldering cigarettes. It is actually a perennial shrub, but due to its sensitivity to frost it usually only grows as an annual in Germany.
- Cuphea hyssopifolia: The Japanese false myrtle or false heather looks very different from its relative Cuphea ignea . Depending on the variety, the small, radially symmetrical flowers can have different colors such as violet or pink.
- Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Floryglory Premium Limelight': The newly emerging leaves of this variety are initially light green. They will darken over time.
- Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Allyson Lavender': This cultivar is perfect as a groundcover as it grows flat.
- Cuphea llavea: This species has particularly unusual flowers, which in many varieties are somewhat reminiscent of a bat's head. It is therefore also called bat face. It can be kept both indoors and in the garden, where bees like to visit it. As long as it can be overwintered in a warm place, this quiver flower is also a perennial.
- Cuphea llavea 'Sriracha Rose': Although it also belongs to the species Cuphea llavea , the flowers of this strain don't look like bats, but are round but no less showy.
Planting Cuphea: location and procedure
With a genus as extensive as the Cuphea you should always consider the species-specific requirements when it comes to location and care. However, there are some site factors that are appropriate for most Cuphea species.
Quiver flowers prefer a bright location without direct sunlight at midday. The soil should be fresh, loose and rich in nutrients. Since these flowers are not hardy, planting them in a bucket, window box or pot is a good idea. It can be placed in a warmer place in winter so that the quiver flower blooms again next year. In addition, the substrate in the pot is heated through more quickly, which is good for the Cuphea. The planter should have a drainage hole for the irrigation water. A layer of pebbles or expanded clay can be placed at the bottom of the pot to further facilitate drainage. Now use a high-quality soil, such as our Plantura organic potting soil. it consists ofnatural raw materials, contains many nutrients and remains structurally stable for a long time. If you prefer to plant the sundial flower in the garden, you can also mix potting soil in the planting hole to improve the conditions for the Cuphea. Varieties such as Cuphea hyssopifolia 'Alysson Lavender', for example, look particularly beautiful in the border. With twelve plants per square meter, ground cover is quickly achieved.
Tip: Cuphea actually also thrives in drier soil, but unfortunately the flowers are not quite as lush then.
Finally, it is advisable to cover the substrate with a layer of mulch, for example made from our Plantura organic pine bark. The pine bark looks decorative and ensures that water evaporation from the soil is reduced.
Note: The quiver flower can be kept as a houseplant in the apartment all year round or placed in a pot on the balcony or in the garden, depending on the weather.
Care of the Cuphea
In addition to regular watering, taking care of the daisies also requires nutrient supply via fertilizers so that the Cuphea plants develop beautiful flowers.
Quiver flowers should be watered regularly with lime-free water. Plants in pots are always watered when the substrate surface has dried. Excess liquid that collects in the coaster is poured off. Quiver flowers in the bed should also be watered as soon as the soil is dry. This can be checked with the help of the finger test. If it rains frequently, there is no need to water.
Quiver flowers need a lot of nutrients to grow well and produce numerous flowers. A long-term fertilizer such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is recommended for bedding plants. You can simply sprinkle it on the ground in April or May and work it in. After that, the soil is watered and the nutrients are slowly released to the plant over a period of at least three months. Our fertilizer is completely harmless to garden animals and consists of natural ingredients.
For quiver flowers in the winter garden or on the balcony, on the other hand, a liquid fertilizer is more suitable, which is regularly added to the irrigation water. A high-quality liquid fertiliser, for example, is our Plantura organic flower and balcony fertiliser, which was specially developed for flowering plants such as the cadaver flowers. It ensures lush floweringand strong roots.Half the dosage of our liquid flowering plant fertilizer is used once a week from spring to autumn. Houseplants that are kept under the same conditions in winter can be fertilized every two months from autumn to spring and watered occasionally.
Pruning is good for most Cuphea species. On annual shrubs, the withered inflorescences can be cut off. Here there is a chance of a renewed flowering. In order to promote compact and bushy growth, the shoot tips should be cut off. Perennial shrubs should be shortened by about a third in spring for a rejuvenation cut. They then sprout again and form many flowers. In winter, the myrtle can freeze back severely, but will then sprout again. The base is best protected by a thick layer of mulch.
Tip: Quiver flowers in pots should be repotted into fresh substrate every spring.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate a quiver flower is by cuttings. To do this, cut a few head cuttings about 5 cm long from the mother plant at an angle in spring or autumn. The shoots should not have flowers and not be completely lignified. The bottom leaves are removed. Then the cuttings are placed in growth substrate and watered. A plastic bag can be placed over the jar. Put the pots in a light and warm place. As soon as new leaves sprout, it's time to transplant the young plants into more nutrient-rich soil.
Is the quiver flower hardy?
Not all quiverflowers are hardy. While Cuphea llavea and Cuphea hyssopifolia tolerate temperatures down to about - 10 °C, Cuphea ignea only likes temperatures above freezing. It should therefore be overwintered indoors. Watering is now less, fertilizing only every two months. Frost tolerant bedding plants should be covered with a layer of mulch.
Is the cuphea poisonous?
Candleflowers are considered non-toxic to both humans and pets. Nevertheless, the plant parts of ornamental plants should not be eaten.
If you can't get enough of extraordinary flowers, you should take a look at the crown of fame . Learn everything about planting, care and winteringyou with us.