Cuphea hyssopifolia
Cuphea hyssopifolia

This plant was assessed as Lower Risk in our Research Portal. You can conduct your own research on this or other plants by creating a free login to the portal.

Lower Risk
Naturalised in a similar climateProduces copious viable seed or propagulesReproduces and spreads vegetatively

Cuphea hyssopifolia (Mexican Heather)

This small shrub is native to North and Central America (Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras). Mexican Heather is a popular ornamental plant and is now widely naturalised in several locations across the globe. The species may be naturalised in NSW and has also naturalised in locations with a similar climate to NSW, including in New Zealand and Hawaii. Mexican Heather has been recorded as invasive in Cuba, India, the USA and Micronesia but there are no evidence of impacts. The plant can spread both vegetatively (by layering of branches that touch the ground) and by seed. Flowers and seeds are produced almost constantly.