Colombian Waxweed
Cuphea carthagenensis
- Native to:
- Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Galápagos, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Uruguay, Windward Is.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lythraceae
- Genus:
- Cuphea
- Species:
- Cuphea carthagenensis
- USDA Symbol:
- CUCA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in areas with high organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI