Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Shrub
  
Fruit
  
Origin
Mexico, Central America
  
Southeastern Asia
  
Types
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Habitat
Tropical areas
  
Subtropical climates, Tropical regions
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-15
  
10-14
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
  
11-5
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
  
Arching/Fountain-shaped
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White, Pink, Light Pink, Lavender, Violet
  
Pink, Rose, Violet
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Non Fruiting Plant
  
Yellow, Orange, Light Yellow, Lemon yellow, Yellow green, Gold
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Dark Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
  
Light Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Oblong to lance-shaped
  
Oblovate
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Medium
  
Slow
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Average
  
Bloom Time
Indeterminate
  
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Frost
  
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Cuttings, Divison, Layering, Seedlings
  
Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Needs watering once a week, Requires more often in extreme heat
  
Average Water Needs, Requires watering in the growing season
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Average
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape
  
Prune in winter, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
14-14-14 Fertilizer
  
Fertilize every year
  
Pests and Diseases
Free of serious pests and diseases
  
Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
No
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Medium
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Butterflies
  
Birds, Butterflies
  
Allergy
no allergic reactions
  
Kidney Stone
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Borders, Ground Cover
  
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification, Food for birds, Food for insects, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Dysentry, Eye Infection, Indigestion, Organ Stones
  
Anti-oxidant, Antioxidants, High blood pressure, Nutrients
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowering Tips, Flowers, Leaves, Shoots, Stem
  
Fruits, Seeds
  
Other Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Used As Food, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Used As Indoor Plant
Yes
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Foundation, Groundcover, Hanging Basket, Mixed Border
  
Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
CUPHEA hyssopifolia
  
AVERRHOA carambola
  
Common Name
False Heather, Mexican Heather, Hawaiian Heather
  
Carambola, Starfruit
  
In Hindi
Mexican Heather
  
carambola पेड़
  
In German
Mexican Heather
  
Sternfrucht Baum
  
In French
Mexicaine Heather
  
arbre carambole
  
In Spanish
Heather mexicana
  
árbol de carambola
  
In Greek
Μεξικού Heather
  
carambola δέντρο
  
In Portuguese
Mexican Heather
  
árvore de carambola
  
In Polish
Mexican Heather
  
karambola drzewo
  
In Latin
Mexicanus Heather
  
carambola ligno
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Tracheophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Myrtales
  
Oxalidales
  
Family
Lythraceae
  
Oxalidaceae
  
Genus
Cuphea
  
Averrhoa
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Lythroideae
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available