Mexican Heather: Not a True Heather and Not Winter-Hardy in Atlanta

Why Your Mexican Heather Turned Yellow After a Freeze

Despite its name, Mexican heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) belongs to the "false heather" family and lacks the cold tolerance of true heathers. In the Atlanta area, it's reliably killed by winter freezes.

Best Treat It as an Annual

• Enjoy its heat- and drought-tolerant blooms all summer.
• Expect it to die back after the first hard frost.
• Replant each spring for a fresh, vigorous display.

You can try overwintering a couple of plants indoors in a sunny window, but they often become leggy and unattractive by April. For reliable performance, treat Mexican heather as a seasonal annual in zones 7 and colder.