Botanical Name: Cuphea hyssopifolia ‘Allyson Heather’ Common Name: Cuphea, Mexican Heather Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Warm Regions (USDA Zones 9–11); Grown as an Annual Elsewhere Size: 12–18" Tall × 12–18" Spread Growth Habit: Compact, Mounding, Well-Branched Habit Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade Soil: Well-Drained, Average to Fertile Soil Water Needs: Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost Fertilizer: Light Feeding During Active Growth Features: Soft Lavender-Purple Flowers, Fine-Textured Foliage, Continuous Blooming, Excellent Heat Tolerance Uses: Containers, Edging, Borders, Mass Plantings, Pollinator Gardens

Patent: ❌ Not Patented Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Cuphea Plant Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Cuphea ‘Allyson Heather’

Cuphea ‘Allyson Heather’ is a refined Mexican heather selection prized for its airy texture and continuous display of small lavender-purple flowers. From late spring through frost, the plant produces countless delicate blooms along slender, well-branched stems, creating a soft, cloud-like wash of color rather than bold focal points. This subtle flowering habit allows ‘Allyson Heather’ to blend effortlessly into mixed plantings, where it adds lightness and movement without competing with stronger colors. The blooms read especially well up close, making it an excellent choice for paths, patios, and container arrangements.

The foliage is fine, dense, and evergreen-like in appearance, giving the plant a clean, intentional look even when flowering slows slightly. Its naturally compact, mounding habit stays controlled and uniform, making it easy to place alongside other plants without overcrowding. Unlike more vigorous Mexican heather types, ‘Allyson Heather’ maintains its shape with minimal pruning or intervention. This balance of texture and restraint makes it a reliable structural element in both containers and garden beds.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Cuphea ‘Allyson Heather’ has been extremely dependable in heat and humidity, continuing to perform well through the most challenging summer conditions. It establishes quickly after planting, holds a tidy shape with little maintenance, and maintains steady flower production even during prolonged periods of heat. We’ve found it to be particularly consistent, with very little variability in growth or appearance over the season.

We especially appreciate its versatility in garden design. ‘Allyson Heather’ works beautifully as a filler in mixed containers, a low edging plant along walkways, or a mass planting where its fine texture creates a soft, cohesive look. Bees and other small pollinators visit regularly throughout the growing season, adding ecological value while preserving the plant’s refined, understated aesthetic.

Allyson Heather vs. Other Cuphea

‘Allyson Heather’ is one of the more restrained varieties in this group, offering smaller flowers and a subtler overall presence. Compared to Vermillionaire® or FloriGlory® Maria, it is less showy and better suited to blending rather than standing out. Its habit is tighter than Bat Face and less sprawling than Hummingbirds Lunch, giving it a quieter role in mixed plantings. It functions well as a filler rather than a focal plant.

When set beside Mexican Heather, ‘Allyson Heather’ appears slightly bolder in bloom size but less dense in texture. Compared to David Verity, it offers fewer flowers and a smaller overall footprint. It lacks the refined breeding advantages of the FloriGlory® series but remains dependable in low-key designs. ‘Allyson Heather’ is best used where subtle color and controlled growth are preferred over impact.