Botanical Name: Cuphea hyssopifolia ‘FloriGlory® Maria’ 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: Bright Magenta Blooms That Cover a Fine, Bushy Habit; Part of the FloriGlory® Series Bred for Exceptional Flower Density 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® Maria’

Cuphea ‘FloriGlory® Maria’ is a high-performance Mexican heather selection valued for its intense magenta flowers and exceptional bloom density. From late spring through frost, the plant is covered in small, star-shaped blooms that appear continuously along its fine-textured foliage, creating a saturated, uniform display of color. Unlike traditional Mexican heather varieties that rely on subtlety, ‘Maria’ delivers a noticeably bolder visual presence while still retaining the refined texture the species is known for. The result is a plant that reads clean and polished up close, yet remains vibrant and eye-catching from a distance.

As part of the FloriGlory® series, ‘Maria’ was bred specifically to improve branching, plant symmetry, and overall flower production. The plant forms a dense, well-mounded habit that stays full from edge to center, eliminating the thin or uneven growth common in older selections. Bloom coverage remains consistent across the entire plant rather than concentrating at the tips, which helps maintain color intensity throughout the season. This genetic improvement makes ‘FloriGlory® Maria’ far more reliable in both containers and landscape plantings.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Cuphea ‘FloriGlory® Maria’ has proven to be exceptionally dependable in heat and humidity, maintaining both flower production and plant structure through the most challenging summer conditions. It establishes quickly after planting, holds a clean, mounded shape with minimal maintenance, and continues flowering heavily without the need for deadheading. Even during extended hot spells, the plant shows little decline in vigor or visual quality.

We especially value its performance in mass plantings and containers, where its vivid magenta color delivers strong impact without overwhelming surrounding plants. The fine foliage texture prevents the color from feeling heavy, allowing it to blend smoothly with bolder companions. Bees and other small pollinators visit regularly throughout the growing season, adding ecological value alongside its ornamental performance.

FloriGlory® Maria vs. Other Cuphea

‘FloriGlory® Maria’ shares much of its genetic intent with FloriGlory® Diana, but tends to feel slightly softer in presentation. Compared to Vermillionaire®, it stays shorter and more contained, making it easier to manage in smaller garden spaces. Its flowering is consistent, though less aggressive than the high-powered landscape types. This makes it more adaptable for mixed containers and curated beds.

When contrasted with ‘Bat Face’ and Hummingbirds Lunch, ‘Maria’ trades novelty for uniformity. It also differs from Mexican Heather by offering larger, more visible blooms rather than a textural effect. Against David Verity, ‘Maria’ maintains a more compact silhouette with less outward sprawl. Overall, it bridges the gap between performance breeding and ornamental restraint.