General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 8b -9.4 °C (15 °F) to -6.7 °C (20 °F)
Plant Height: 18 - 24 inches
Plant Spread: 18 inches - 24 inches
Leaves: Evergreen
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Lavender
Pink
Purple
White
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Spring
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Uses: Groundcover
Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Layering
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Awards and Recognitions: RHS AGM

Image
Common names
  • Mexican Heather
  • Elfin Herb
  • Hawaiian Heather
  • False Heather

Photo Gallery
Location: my Zone 7b garden in North Georgia Mountains
Date: 2023-10-23
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2022-11-11
Location:  
Date: 2019-01-11
Entire plant in bloom with bee.
Location: my Zone 7b garden in North Georgia Mountains
Date: 2023-10-23
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2015-04-17
Location: Garland (Dallas), TX
Date: 11-10-13
One of my absolute favorites.
Location: all photos from my gardens
Date: 2018-06-25
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2023-03-08

Date: November 4, 2010
#Pollination - Ceraunus Blue Butterfly enjoying nectar
Location: Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center - Apollo Beach, Florida
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2022-06-16
Location: My garden, KY
Date: 2/27/2024
Uploaded by sedumzz
Location: Fairfax, Virginia (Outdoors)
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2015-09-26
Location: my garden in Dawsonville, GA
Date: 2021-11-03
grown as an annual in my zone 7b garden
Location: my garden in Dawsonville, GA
Date: 2021-11-03
grown as an annual in my zone 7b garden
Location: Botanical Graden Meise - Nationale Plantentuin Meise - Brussel
Date: 2017-09-27
Location: Botanical Graden Meise - Nationale Plantentuin Meise - Brussel
Uploaded by sedumzz
Location: My backyard
Date: November 4, 2010
Mexican False Heather
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2022-12-27
freeze-ruined foliage
Uploaded by sedumzz
Location: Hamilton Square Perennial Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2014-06-09
Location: Maine
Date: 2014-07-10
Location: DISCLAIMER: This is an old photo from an old phone. I don't know why, but the photos look "deep fried". sorry about that.
Location: Fairfax, Virginia (Outdoors)
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2015-09-10
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2023-03-31
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2023-03-31
Location: Schwartz's Greenhouse, Romulus, MI
Date: 2010-05-24
Location: Rainforest, Paraty, Brazil
Date: 2014-01-04
Naturalized in Brazil, growing in between rocks by the river.
Location: Rainforest, Paraty, Brazil
Date: 2013-12-20
Naturalized in Brazil, growing in between rocks by the river
Location: Rainforest, Paraty, Brazil
Date: 2013-12-26
Naturalized in Brazil, growing in between rocks by the river
Location: My backyard
Date: November 4, 2010
Cuphea hyssopifolia
Location: My backyard
Date: October 27, 2010
Close up view of stem and leaves
Location: Opp, AL  Z8b
Date: 2022-12-27
freeze-ruined foliage
Uploaded by Hamwild
Location: Garland (Dallas), TX
Biennial most years in my yard.
Location: Fairfax, Virginia (Outdoors)
Location: Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2014-09-19

1 month old, probably 2 weeks worth of roots, as the first week i
Location: Garland (Dallas), TX
Date: 2012-11-03
Love these at base of roses.
Location: Barcelona, Spain |April, 2023 (uploaded. This image is much older)
Date: 2023-04-03
Location: Schwartz's Greenhouse, Romulus, MI
Date: 2010-05-24
Location: Schwartz's Greenhouse, Romulus, MI
Date: 2010-05-24
Location: Schwartz's Greenhouse, Romulus, MI
Date: 2010-05-24
Location: Rainforest, Paraty, Brazil
Date: 2013-12-20
Naturalized in Brazil, growing in between rocks by the river.
Location: Little garden of Big Dreams, Dayton KY
Location: Osaka Prefectural Flower Garden, Osaka, Japan.
Date: August 22, 2010
Photo by KENPEI
This plant is tagged in:
Image Image Image Image Image

Comments:
  • Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Sep 9, 2011 6:52 PM concerning plant:
    Mexican False Heather is a tropical evergreen sub-shrub that grows to 24" in height and 36" wide. It has highly branched, feathery foliage, with small oblong leaves appearing alternately along the stems. It prefers a semi-shady location and minimal pruning. Mexican False Heather is not bothered by pests.

« Add a new plant to the database

« The Plants Database Front Page