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 White 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 the white-flowering highlight of our Cuphea Selection, and I will tell you, clean white in the middle of Summer heat is harder to find than people think. The blooms are crisp, bright white and produced in impressive density from Late Spring all the way to Frost. Instead of fading or looking dingy in strong sun, the flowers stay luminous against the fine, deep green foliage. The overall effect is fresh and polished, almost like a soft white cloud hovering just above the leaves. It brings light into a planting without feeling stark or harsh.

What makes ‘Maria’ stand apart is how balanced it grows. It naturally forms a smooth, rounded mound that fills in evenly from the center outward. We do not see the hollow centers or loose branching that older Mexican heather types sometimes develop by mid Summer. The branching is tight and uniform, so bloom coverage spreads across the entire plant rather than sitting only on the outer tips. That structure gives it a tailored look in both containers and landscape beds, and it keeps that look for the entire season.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our Upstate trial gardens, Cuphea ‘FloriGlory® Maria’ has proven to be steady and reliable when the weather turns demanding. We grow it in full sun through thick humidity and long stretches of heat, and it continues blooming without pause. It roots in quickly after planting, builds size in a controlled way, and never seems to lose its composure. We do not have to deadhead it, and we rarely have to trim it to maintain shape. Even during those stretches of high temperatures in Late Summer, the plant keeps its dense form and clean foliage.

I especially like using the white form in design because it brightens everything around it. In mass plantings, it creates a smooth, cohesive ribbon that feels elegant and calming. In containers, it acts as a softening element between bolder colors, almost like a visual reset for the eye. The fine texture prevents the white from feeling heavy, which can sometimes happen with larger white blooms. And just like the other selections, the bees work it steadily all season long. It is refined, dependable, and quietly powerful, which is a combination I always appreciate in the garden.

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.