How to Plant Mexican Heather: 3 Care Tips for Mexican Heather

Mexican heather, false heather, Hawaiian heather, or elfin herb (scientific name: Cuphea hyssopifolia) is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub that grows bright green foliage and small white, lavender or purple flowers that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. The shrub is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras (and naturalized in Hawaii). It can grow as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 or as an annual or container plant in colder climates.

Mexican heather growers often use the subshrub as a groundcover or border plant in landscaping; it’s also a popular choice for rock gardens.

Mexican heather is a heat-loving flowering plant, so plant it after the last threat of frost or freezing temperatures in your area, when the nights stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit—usually in late spring or early summer months. Its bloom time is mid-summer when hot temperatures bring purple or white flowers.

Here’s how to transplant potted Mexican heather into your garden:

1. 1. Choose the planting site. Mexican heather does best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, so choose a spot that gets at least four hours of direct sunlight per day.
2. 2. Prepare the soil. Mexican heather isn’t picky about nutrients or soil composition, but it will do best in well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Alternatively, you can plant Mexican heather in pots with good drainage to grow the plants outdoors for the summer and move them indoors as houseplants during colder months.
3. 3. Dig the holes. Space holes at least two feet apart to allow Mexican heather plants to spread. Dig each hole an inch wider and deeper than the root ball of each plant.
4. 4. Transplant the plants. Gently remove each plant from its nursery pot and place it in a hole. Fill the hole in with soil.
5. 5. Water immediately. Water around each plant thoroughly to settle the soil and give the plants a good drink.
6. 6. Mulch (optional). If your area frequently experiences cool temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, consider adding a layer of mulch around your plants to insulate the soil. Mulch also helps preserve moisture and reduce weeds.

The Mexican heather plant is a low-maintenance shrub that requires only basic care:

1. 1. Water about once a week. Water Mexican heather deeply about every week during the growing season, allowing the top two inches of the soil to become dry before watering again. Mexican heather can tolerate drought but doesn’t like “wet feet,” when its roots sit in soggy soil.
2. 2. Prune occasionally. Mexican heather plants don’t require pruning to stay healthy, but occasional pruning can help remove old growth and encourage the plant to stay bushy. If you notice your plants adopting thin or leggy growth habits, trim back the branches with sharp gardening shears.
3. 3. Keep an eye out for pests. Mexican heather isn’t usually a target for garden pests, but if you notice flea beetles or spider mites on your plants, spray them off with a sharp jet of water or apply a natural insecticide like neem oil to the leaves.

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