This plant prefers moist to well-drained soil. While it can tolerate some dryness, you will want to water it frequently.

This plant does best with regular applications of liquid fertilizer, approximately once per month. Plant Cuphea ignea in full sun or part shade. This plant is fairly tolerant of heat and resists most pest and disease problems. It can be grown outdoors or indoors.

Cuphea ignea is known as the Firecracker Plant. Native to Mexico and the West Indies, this tropical subshrub has dense, evergreen branches that bloom year-round with small, tube-shaped flowers. These flowers, bright red in color, look like lit cigars or firecrackers. Hummingbirds and butterflies love them. Attractive leaves are dark green and oval-shaped, less than 2" long.