Candy Corn Plant Care

Candy corn plants (Cuphea micropetala) produce spikes of colorful yellow and orange flowers that resemble dangling candies. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, where its flowers stay on the plant all summer. Candy corn plants are low-maintenance shrubs that flower and thrive with little care.

Candy corn plants die to the ground in winter where temperatures drop below 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, but the roots can usually survive temperatures as low as 15 F. Protected areas, such as near buildings or walls, can provide some protection from winter cold. The plant grows 3 to 4 feet tall with an equal spread, so avoid planting large plants within its growing area to avoid overcrowding. Well-draining, rich soil results in the best growth.

Regular watering in spring and summer keeps candy corn plants healthy and in bloom. Provide 1 to 2 inches of water weekly if it hasn't rained. The soil should feel moist but not soggy to at least 6 inches deep. Candy corn plants are drought-tolerant once established, but they flower best when they're watered. In winter, candy corns plants need less water. Reduce watering to once every 10 to 14 days if the plants remain evergreen, or water just enough so the soil doesn't completely dry if the plat dies back to the ground in winter. A spring application of slow-release fertilizer, such as 4 tablespoons of a 12-4-8 blend for every 4 square feet, helps increase flowering. Sprinkle the fertilizer on top the soil, at least 6 inches from the base of the shrub, and water it in.

Plants that die back in winter require late winter pruning. Disinfect the pruning shears by wiping them with a cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol before pruning and when moving between shrubs. Cut the plant to the ground and dispose of the clippings. The candy corn plant will reemerge from the root system when growth resumes in spring. You can also cut back evergreen plants by up to one-half their height at this time to keep them compact and tidy. The clippings will root and grow into new plants if you insert the cut end into a pot of moist soil. Keep the soil moist until the clippings root and begin putting on new growth, at which time you can transplant them out to the garden.

Few pests or diseases bother candy corn plants. Aphids, mites and other soft-bodied insects may feed on the undersides of the leaves, but you can rinse them off with a strong stream of water from your hose. The candy corn plant may also have problems with powdery mildew and root rot. Mildew produces a powdery white growth on the leaves. Prune out any badly infected leaves or branches with disinfected shears. Poor air circulation can lead to mildew growth, but annual pruning can help prevent it. Root rot occurs in wet, poorly drained soil. Proper watering and good soil are the best methods to avoid rot problems.