Cuphea Ignea 'Honeyeater's Lunch'

Cigar Plant / Firecracker Plant / Honeyeater’s Lunch

Botanical Name: Cuphea ignea ‘Honeyeater’s Lunch’
Family: Lythraceae
Origin: Mexico & Caribbean (garden cultivar selection)
Plant Type: Evergreen to semi-evergreen compact shrub/perennial (mounding)

Overview

A compact, bird-magnet cuphea selected for masses of orange-red tubular “cigar” flowers that bring honeyeaters all season. Ideal for Adelaide/SA in full sun with regular summer water. Neat, bushy habit suits low hedges, borders, mass planting and bright pots; handles heat and coastal breezes (second-line) but needs frost protection in the Hills.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.5–0.9 m H × 0.5–0.8 m W (compact mound)
• Growth Rate: 20–40 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Small, lanceolate, mid-green, semi-glossy leaves on fine stems
• Flowers: Bright orange to red tubular blooms with darker tips/white rim; heaviest spring–autumn, with spot flowers in mild winters
  
• Seasonal Interest: Very long flowering window; evergreen form year-round (may thin in frost)
• Wildlife Value: Nectar-rich—honeyeaters, native bees and butterflies
• Tolerance: Heat-tolerant; drought-tolerant once established (needs summer watering for best bloom); wind-tolerant if somewhat sheltered; second-line coastal OK; light frost only (protect from hard frosts)
• Planting Density: Low hedge/border: 3–4 per metre (≈25–35 cm centres); Mass planting: 4–6 plants/m²; Containers: 30–40 cm pots; tip-prune to shape
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; ingestion of any plant may upset pets

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to light part shade (best flowering in full sun)
• Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam; enrich with organic matter; mound/raise on heavier clays to avoid winter wet feet
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 7–10 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); light, occasional water in winter (keep potted plants just moist)
• Maintenance: Tip-prune after each flush to keep compact and trigger more blooms; remove spent stems; mulch; feed lightly in spring and mid-summer with a balanced fertiliser
• Lifespan: 5–8+ years (longer in frost-free microclimates)
• Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA—excellent on Adelaide Plains and second-line coastal; provide frost protection in the Hills
• Soil pH: Neutral (tolerates slightly acidic–slightly alkaline)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Low, bird-attracting hedge along paths/fences
• Mass plant for a ribbon of orange-red colour spring–autumn
• Containers for sunny courtyards, decks and poolside (with irrigation)
• Mix with grey foliage and grasses for vibrant contrast

Why You Will Love It

Near year-round firecracker colour that feeds honeyeaters, stays compact, and thrives in Adelaide sun with modest care—perfect for bright borders, low hedges and pots.