Red Firespike

Location

Butterfly Garden

  • Common Name: Firespike (Red) (other common names: Cardinal guard, or scarlet flame).
  • Scientific Name: Odontonema strictum (Also called Odontonema cuspidatum or Thyrsacanthus tubaeformis)
  • Family Name: Acanthaceae
  • Origin: South America (but has naturalized to Florida).
  • Height: 5’ – 6’
  • Width: 2’-3’
  • Growth: Fast growing.
  • Zone: 8A – 11
  • Light Needs: Full Sun to partial/dappled shade.
  • Salt Tolerance: Low
  • Soil/PH/Texture: Acidic to mildly alkaline (pH 5.6 – 7.8).
  • Soil Moisture: Tolerates most soils with average water needs, water regularly but do not overwater.
  • Drought Tolerance: Fair drought and humidity tolerance.
  • Pests/Diseases: No pests or diseases of major concern. Occasional mealy bug infestations.
  • Growing Conditions: This is an upright clumping bush that is easy to grow. It only requires a general purpose, slow-release fertilizer in the spring and 2-3” organic mulch to help retain water but otherwise is very low maintenance.
  • Characteristics: This evergreen shrub has glossy, smooth, green leaves, and showy spikes, clusters of with vibrant, lavender, tubular flowers that can bloom repeatedly year-round.
  • Propagation: Easy to propagate from softwood stem cuttings or by seed.
  • Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
  • Facts: Tolerates landscapes infested with rot-knot nematodes.
  • Designer Considerations: Excellent for butterfly gardens, can also be used as a hedge, mass plantings, borders or in pots 3 galllon or larger that are well drained on patios.
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