Cuphea Torpedo

Cuphea 'Torpedo' Growing Guide

Cuphea ‘Torpedo’ is a striking and heat-tolerant evergreen subshrub or annual, known for its deep purple, tubular flowers with contrasting green tips that resemble little rockets—hence the name Torpedo. The flowers bloom continuously from spring through frost and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It forms a mounded, bushy plant with small, glossy green leaves, giving a lush appearance all season long.

Native Range

While the exact cultivar is a hybrid, most Cuphea species are native to Mexico and Central America, where they thrive in warm, sunny conditions.

 USDA Hardiness Zones

• Zones 9–11 (perennial)

• Grown as an annual in Zones 8 and colder

Height & Width

• Height: 12 to 18 inches

• Width: 18 to 24 inches

• Mounded and spreading habit

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun for best flowering; tolerates partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil; tolerates sandy or loamy soil

• Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature

• Humidity: Loves high humidity but tolerates a range of conditions

• Temperature: Thrives in hot weather; protect from frost

• Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, then every 6–8 weeks

Pruning & Maintenance

• Pinch back stems to promote bushiness early in the season

• Deadheading not required, but trimming helps maintain shape

• Cut back lightly if it becomes leggy mid-season

Uses

• Pollinator Gardens: Loved by hummingbirds and bees

• Containers & Hanging Baskets: Compact size and nonstop blooms

• Borders & Edging: Adds rich color along garden paths

• Mass Plantings: Makes a vivid seasonal groundcover

• Butterfly Gardens: Reliable nectar source in hot months

---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---

 We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.

Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.

**Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.

State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:

Arizona: Juglans spp.  

California: Castanea spp., Juglans spp., Pinus spp., Quercus spp.  

Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. Please verify your local county regulations.  

Florida: Castanea spp., Cornus spp., Quercus spp., Cornus mas 

Georgia: Vaccinium spp.

Hawaii: Pinus spp. 

Idaho: Humulus lupulus, Mentha spp., Vitis spp.

Indiana: Fragraria spp., Rosa spp. 

Kansas: Juglans spp.

Michigan: Abies spp., Vaccinium spp.

Montana: Pinus spp.

Nevada: Allium spp.

Mentha spp. 

New Jersey: Rosa spp.  

New York: Vitis spp.  

Oregon: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Quercus spp., Sambucus nigra, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.

Texas: Juglans spp. 

Washington: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.  

Wisconsin: Abies spp., Pinus spp., Picea spp., Mentha spp. 

Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.