| I received a small False Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) as a gift - is this something I can keep in my classroom, how much water, how much light, etc.? Help - I don't want to kill it! |
| Cuphea is a small shrub, native to Guatemala and Mexico. It grows outdoors in your gardening region and will perform best in full sunshine, where it will bloom all summer long. If you can provide a source of artificial light, you can keep your Cuphea indoors during the school year and put it outdoors during summer break. It probably won't bloom under artificial light, but you should be able to maintain an attractive appearance, especially if you pinch the tips of the new growth back to keep the plant compact. Cuphea requires lots of water so keep the soil moist but not soggy wet, provide 10-12 hours of bright light each day, and fertilize monthly with a dilute solution of liquid fertilizer. |
