Cigar Plant

Cuphea ignea

Family: Lythraceae

Tender Perennial Subshrub
Tubular Red-Orange Blooms
Often Grown as an Annual or Overwintered Indoors
Naming Trap: see the look-alike warning

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

not stated by the cited source(s)

How complete this information is

We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

We found no source on toxicity to pets or people for this plant.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Russelia equisetiformis (PlotAndPetal's separate entry): both species share the common name "firecracker plant.". To tell them apart: Cuphea ignea is a small mounding woody shrub with tubular red-orange flowers tipped white and black, like a lit cigar. Russelia equisetiformis has arching, rush-like leafless stems and small plain red tubular flowers.. Both go by "firecracker plant": check the growth habit (mounding shrub vs. arching rush-like stems) before assuming which one you have.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 10a to 12b (NC State); frost-intolerant, often grown as an annual or overwintered indoors in cooler climates.
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 18 to 30 in tall and wide (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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