PlantFiles: Bat-Face Cuphea, St. Peter's Plant, Tiny Mice, Bunny Ears
Cuphea llavea

In my area (Zone 11 suburban), this plant was a real pain for me to grow.

I agree that it is gorgeous when blooming, but in my location it just wasn't worth all the effort. I had an easier time growing orchids than I did growing this!

This plant was prone to numerous insect pests, and needed water every single non-rainy day too. Even when it was pest free.

It never attracted a single hummingbird or honeycreeper, either.

I am not sure if the problem was that it dislikes being grown in a 4 gallon pot, and needs to be in the ground... I don't have ground to plant in here, just a paved condominium patio.

I took it to a swap meet and traded it in for an orchid. I don't regret my decision.

I noticed that PA is not listed for this plant. I live in Central PA and bought this plant last year for the first time. I had it in a planter on my deck and the hummingbirds absolutely "loved it". It flowered continueously all summer. The nursery I purchased it from no longer carries it and I've been unable to find it anywhere. It did not winter over.

I found this in a local nursery and fell in love. Even though I really don't have the room so late in the summer, I had to go back and buy it. It was pretty dry, but a good dousing has perked it right up. My local hummingbirds are ecstatic. I am a little worried about the forthcoming hummer smackdowns over this plant, though!

I purchased a small plant last year over Memorial week end when we were down in Indiana. It grew and bloomed all summer. I brought it in in the fall but got too spindly inside with limited light. I also collected seed from my plant. Seeds were very easy to germinate. Hummers loved it last summer. Hoping to have it to bloom size this year. As they aren't available for sale here in upstate NY

I gave this plant a try simply because of its name and planted it next to the daylily " Batman". I was amazed at its vigor all summer as we had very sporadic rainfall. It grew over onto the gravel pathway and seemed to love it. I will try propagating it for the master gardeners.

Last fall I cut my bat-face back and set the pot in our garage that never gets below freezing in the winter. To my surprise, it had some very spindly growth on it by early spring. I started watering it and later set the pot outdoors when the weather warmed up. Very large specimen this year since it already had a nice root system. Worth a try to overwinter in the northern zones. I plan to see if I can do it 2 years in a row.

This plant is stunning. By far one of my favorites. I only bought it because it looked unique at a discount store and I am so pleased. Looking forward to planting more from seed I get off of it.

Also works well in hanging baskets....unique touch of color.

Wonderful plant, but it seems to mind being... planted! Last year (in May) I bought it in a one gallon pot, I planted it in carefully prepared soil, in filtered light and... it died! Since I'm very much into giving plants a second (and third...) chance, I did not pull it out of the ground. After a couple of weeks it came back with a vengeance and now it is one of the most beautiful plants in my garden. Therefore, a couple of weeks ago I could not resist buying another one gallon pot. I did the same thing as last year and, guess what, this second plant also died! This morning I noticed some tiny-tiny green leaves on the dead body, so I guess the same thing is happening again. The moral of my story is - no matter what, do not pull it out! It will come back and make you very happy with its beauty. By the way, I have planted hundreds of plants and I only had this stresfull experience three times: two with the bat-faced lady and once with "Lion's Ear" (Leonotis leonurus). Anybody has an explanation?

Only in Nature could bright red and deep purple result in a pleasing color combination, but it definitely is a winner with this plant!

I'm glad to learn it is so easy to propagate from stem cuttings. I'll take some cuttings and spread it around in my butterfly/hummingbird garden.

My mom picked up a broken stem of this plant, took it home, and about a month later this thing is absolutly one of the most prolific plants that she has ever brought home. Unfortunatly here in Georgia, this plant is not readily available. My mom has taken to rooting and giving away offshoots of her "bat-faced" plant. I don't think we have ever had a plant that requires LESS work than this one.

I purchased this plant discounted late summer last year. I made several huge pots from propagating clippings and gave them all away but one small pot. These gifts brought happiness to the handicapped, elderly and myself and was easy to care for. Overwintering was unsuccessful for every plant I gave away. Death in my family caused me to allow my remaining pot to sadly dry out and die. I have been looking for this plant to purchase in NJ ever since. The garden center I purchased it from no longer carries it. If anyone knows where I can purchase one again I would be thrilled. I also will begin propagating immediately for more sharing!
pauhana

This plant always makes me smile. I love the cheerful colors as well as the "bat face" and always think of Paul Simon and "bat face girl" when I look at it.

Cuphea llavea (syn. C. x purpurea) is a native of the streambeds of the Mexican desert.

Edgewood, Washington
Most definately a tender annual here. Does add bright color to mixed pots, but the blooms are rather small. Perhaps just too cool here for it to be at its best.

Amazing plant - the pride of my garden. It came out of a one gallon pot, went into clay soil amended with an organic compost mix, and after 2 seasons it is over 4' wide, 3' deep, and 2' tall. It's happy to be ignored, which is good because there are always so many bees around it that it can be difficult to work around. Other than that, it is an absolute joy. A wonderful eye-catcher!

When I first saw this plant, I HAD to HAVE it! I planted it in my front flowerbed in full sun and it hasn't quit blooming since! I absolutely adore it and will have it in my garden from now on! FANTASTIC!

Wonderful plant that comes back year after year. It dies back in the winter and then comes back with a fury in the spring. It is constantly blooming until the first freeze (which in south east texas is about late december) and loves the weather down here. Very droughtand heat tolerant. I have it growing on the edge of the patio and it actually seems to prefer growing towards and on the cement even though we have many summer days of over 95 F!! I have never seen this plant wilt while many of the other drought tolerant plants do in the heat of the summer days. This plant is extremely easy to grow and you don't have to fuss with it. Cutting grow very easy and it is a nice conversation plant due to its strange flower shape. I must have plant in the hot, humid south!!!

Great plant that blooms all summer. In my zone (6) it is an annual. I placed it on my deck in a planter and found that hummingbirds love it!

I have really enjoyed having this in my garden this year.It has bloomed all summer and sure added color to my flower beds.

Easy to grow, but an annual in my zone 6b. Blooms profusely.