Botanical Name: Cuphea hyssopifolia ‘FloriGlory® Diana’ 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, Dense, 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: Lavender-Purple Star-Shaped Flowers, Fine-Textured Foliage, Exceptional Flower Density, Excellent Heat Tolerance Uses: Containers, Edging, Borders, Mass Plantings, Pollinator Gardens

Patent: ✔ Patented Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

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

More About Cuphea ‘FloriGlory® Diana’

Cuphea ‘FloriGlory® Diana’ is one of those quiet performers of Cuphea that doesn’t demand attention but absolutely earns its space. When I first started growing it, what stood out to me wasn’t just the color, it was the density. The plant stays covered in soft lavender purple blooms from Late Spring straight through Frost, and instead of looking sparse or wispy, it forms this full, velvety cushion of color. The foliage is fine and delicate looking, but the overall plant reads polished and intentional, not loose or floppy like some of the older Mexican heathers I’ve grown over the years.

What I appreciate most is how controlled it stays. We do not have to chase it with shears to keep it in bounds. It naturally branches well and builds a smooth, rounded mound that looks like we planned it that way from day one. In the middle of Summer, when the humidity settles in and certain annuals start to stretch or thin out, Cuphea ‘FloriGlory® Diana’ keeps its composure. It just keeps blooming, evenly and steadily, without us having to deadhead or fuss over it.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trial beds here in the Upstate, we pay close attention to which plants hold their shape, keep blooming, and stay presentable without constant intervention. Cuphea ‘FloriGlory® Diana’ has consistently checked all three boxes. We have grown it in full sun, in reflected heat near hardscape, and in more protected courtyard settings, and it performs evenly across the board. I have noticed that it establishes quickly, branches low and dense, and never develops that thin, open center that older Mexican heathers sometimes show by mid Summer. Even after heavy rainstorms or stretches of intense heat, it rebounds fast and keeps that smooth, mounded form that makes it look professionally maintained.

Design wise, I find myself reaching for it often because it solves problems. If a bed edge needs softening, this does it. If a container combination feels too bold and needs something airy to tie it together, this works beautifully. We have used it in mass plantings where that fine texture creates a smooth ribbon of color that feels cohesive and refined. And the bees absolutely approve. On warm Summer afternoons, you will see the small native pollinators working it consistently, which adds movement without taking away from its clean, tailored look. It is one of those plants that proves you do not have to be flashy to be exceptional.

FloriGlory® Diana vs. Other Cuphea

‘FloriGlory® Diana’ is a more controlled and compact alternative to larger-growing selections like Vermillionaire® and Hummingbirds Lunch. It maintains a tidy habit that works well in containers, distinguishing it from the looser growth of ‘Bat Face’. While it doesn’t match ‘Vermillionaire®’ in sheer bloom count, it offers better symmetry and less legginess. Its refined structure makes it especially suitable for retail-ready plantings.

Compared to FloriGlory® Maria, ‘Diana’ often reads slightly stronger in branching and overall balance, though both share similar breeding goals. When placed next to David Verity, ‘Diana’ appears more compact and intentional, with fewer gaps in the canopy. Unlike Mexican Heather, it still provides showy individual flowers rather than texture alone. ‘FloriGlory® Diana’ fits best where polish and predictability are essential.