Cuphea hyssopifolia, the false heather, Mexican heather, Hawaiian heather or elfin herb, is a small evergreen shrub native to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.[1][2] It grows to about 60 cm (24 in) high by 90 cm (35 in) wide and has purple, lavender or white coloured flowers and fine foliage.[3]

Cuphea hyssopifoliaScientific classificationKingdom:PlantaeClade:AngiospermsClade:EudicotsClade:RosidsOrder:MyrtalesFamily:LythraceaeGenus:CupheaSpecies:C. hyssopifoliaBinomial nameCuphea hyssopifolia

Kunth

The Latin word hyssopifolia (which also occurs in several other plant names, including that of Bassia hyssopifolia) means "hyssop-leafed".[4]

The species is naturalised in Hawaii, and regarded as a serious weed there.[3]

In cultivation, the species adapts to a range of soils in a sunny or partially shaded situation with good drainage.[3] It can be cultivated outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8B-11.[3] In colder regions it may be cultivated as an annual.[3] Plants may be propagated by cuttings, layering or division. They seed freely, and new seedlings that appear are easily transplanted.[3]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit