Bat-Faced Cuphea, Sure to Prompt a Smile

Generally, I am not drawn to gimmicky plants, not that anything in nature can be truly “gimmicky”. Still, I like flowers that look like flowers. So when I first heard about Bat-faced Cuphea, I assumed it would not be a plant that I would be dashing out to purchase. But Cuphea llavea, or Bat-faced Cuphea, is really quite incredible.

Bat-faced Cuphea is, first off, incredible in terms of color. Its blooms are the most perfect red, royal purple, a little white to accent the purple… vibrant and eye-catching. Those colors would be striking in any form, so for those like me who want a flower to look like a flower… well, from afar, this plant is as traditional yet striking as anyone could desire. But get closer, and that is where the fun begins.

The vibrant colors of Cuphea llavea, Bat-faced Cuphea, form wonderful parts of the sweetest little bats imaginable. Now, most take the Bat-faced name very literally and say that the red forms the bat ears, and the purple forms the face. This is where I stray from the crowd. Personally, I see a more perfect bat shape when I see the red as the bat wings, and the purple part of each bloom as the face with tiny and very pointed purple ears. On the purple, some thin white adornments turn the face into one with eyes and a very convincing mouth. To me, rather than Bat-faced Cuphea, I am seeing something that might be called “Flying Bat Cuphea”. Whichever way you see Cuphea llavea, these are bats through and through.

Now, the Cupheas, in general, are not very difficult to tend. Cuphea llavea follows suit, requiring little. But one thing I have noticed is that these plants cannot be permitted to dry out, at least in their early growth phase. Like most plants, they do not want wet feet. But I try never to let them dry out completely, as they are a little harder than other plants to coax back into good shape. (With maturity comes a bit more tolerance of brief periods of drought.) And do keep in mind that these “bats”, unlike bats from the kingdom Animalia, would never be happy in a darkened cave or in anything approaching nighttime darkness for the majority of the day. No, Cuphea llavea likes to soak in the sunshine outdoors or enjoy bright light through a south-facing window. I guess this means that when you are perfectly shaped, all glammed up in the richest reds and purples that are nice enough for royalty, you seek the spotlight. These bats aim to be seen.

Beyond the very basic care noted here, regular feedings with diluted liquid fertilizer can be helpful to increase blooming. Feeding in this manner, once a month or a little more, can keep Bat-faced Cuphea in superb shape.

Now, a plant-loving friend and I recently fooled around about this plant, chuckling over our ideas for how it might be used for a large event—say, party favors for a wedding with a bat-faced theme. Good for a laugh, yes. Realistic…? Well probably, no. I cannot picture anyone buying these plants for a mass outdoor planting or in multiples to gift to everyone under the sun. But for some fun, just for oneself or for a special friend or two, Cuphea llavea is a must-have. Does the use of the term “fun” make you think “gimmicky”? I hope not. With this Bat-faced Cuphea, I have come to realize that Nature has a sense of humor, and a good one at that. Cuphea llavea is not gimmicky at all. It is a nice plant.

Cuphea llavea has blooms that should be evident for a good, long stretch, and its foliage should stay attractive. Beneficial insects do wonders to keep these plants happy, so if your Bat-faced Cuphea can stay outdoors for the remainder of summer (fingers crossed, that will be a good, long stretch), your Cuphea llavea plant is likely to thank you. And I am sure to thank my lucky stars that I now know this plant, a plant I first considered overlooking.