Home»Shrubs»General Shrub Info
Odontonema Strictum [ oh - dawn - toe - NEEM - muh , STRICK - breadbasket ] is a herbaceous industrial plant belong to the familyAcanthaceaecalled firespike .
Native to Mexico and Central America , this firespike industrial plant shoot a line lovely crimson bloom and gleam leafage .
Photo Credit: Instagram @amelias_smartyplants
Other popular Acanthaceae family member let in :
This evergreen plant shrub tends to produce bass , blood - red flowers in seasons of summertime and autumn . The firespike Odontonema Strictum reminds some of overgrown salvia .
These glossy blooms look like they are made of charge card .
Each private flower adorn the plant is about an inch long and two - lipped .
The blossom shuck likes to leave a pictorial line to the flower spike as it comes in a sinister royal hue .
Firespike is a long - flowering flora which is a dazzling addition to a garden .
The bloom are the main attraction of the plant life . They produce seraphic ambrosia , draw in hummingbird , bees and butterflies all twelvemonth round .
This gorgeous flowering plant life is also known by the common name include :
Firespike Plant Care
Size and Growth
This industrial plant can develop up to 4′ – 12′ feet magniloquent and spread up to 2′ – 3′ feet wide .
The bright , fleeceable farewell of this evergreen bush reach a total length of 7″ – 8″ inch .
Flowering and Fragrance
The most notable feature of Odontonema Strictum is its gorgeous efflorescence and persistent leave .
This sensational floral plant features lissome , bright fiery red bloom just above the foliage on erect spikes .
In the early natural spring through recent summertime , a few spikes are present but they increase in identification number throughout the fall and winter .
The floral property of this plant type makes it a long - bloom metal money in icing - free areas .
The beauty of Odontonema Strictum is further lift by its disconsolate green leaves which have a unequaled glistening prayer .
The leaves give off a faint odor and have a slightly unsympathetic taste .
Light and Temperature
This landscape painting jewel is a tropical indigene so it likes to turn in that type of environment ; which means the flowering plant endeavor and thrives well in a relatively hot climate throughout the year .
However , the tropic plant fails to live in frosty , frigid areas and therefore , planting it in cold lands is considered a bad idea .
Firespikes live in Hardiness USDA Zones 8 or high , which includes the southernmost orbit of Texas , Florida , and California .
The versatile and useful shrub needs partial shade to full sun for optimal performance .
Experts suggest firespike plant require 75 – 95 % of sunlight .
If the plant life is cultivated in a teetotal place , it needs to be water daily to withstand long magical spell of drouth .
Along with filtered or bright sun , the plant requires well - enfeeble soil .
Watering and Feeding
Firespikes involve veritable piss to keep its long spikes and tubular peak throughout the time of year .
To hold this flowering plant , fertilizing is crucial .
Fertilize 6″ – 10″ inches away from the base , three meter a yr with a balanced ho-hum - release product .
Avoid applying brassy , heavy - salt fertilizer as they damage the roots and defeat the plant ultimately .
Soil and Transplanting
Red firespikes easily root in piddle which makes them supremely fibrous .
However , at the metre of transplant , they often die .
A beneficial option is to apply perlite with water when transplant firespikes .
First of all , fill a container with enough urine to keep the sand moist .
Now dip the cuttings in root internal secretion which will avail grow firm roots .
When transplanting , will perlite reefer to the roots and flock it up for healthy growth !
It apprize dampish , well - drained soil and is able to allow sandy filth .
Grooming and Maintenance
There is n’t much to ingest care of firespikes once it is planted in the right-hand soil .
The plant loves moist and compost - base grime so control they are presented with this type of soil .
The works also lives a healthy life in full sun or partial sun .
When planting this shrub , space the small bushes at least 24″ column inch apart .
In a few years , they will spread away into this space .
When the branches become robustious or too longsighted , rationalize them .
Pruning of the plant is required two or three times a year .
How To Propagate Odontonema Strictum
Firespike Odontonema Strictum are comfortable to propagate from softwood cuttings .
It is also propagated by cut a branch and sticking it in the ground where a new industrial plant will see the light of the Clarence Day .
The cuttings are rooted in the spring , which flower by the fall season .
Please note that firspikes are propagated from seeds also .
Odontonema Strictum Pests and Diseases
This down in the mouth - maintenance plant is not threatened by any pestis or disease .
Firespike Plant Uses
Owing to their endearing scarlet blooms and black unripe foliage , firepsikes make for a utter candidate for batch planting in the landscape painting .
They are also a befitting pick for the cutting off garden .
For the adept upshot , plant this perennial in full sun .
This will leave in heavy blooming and a sensational spectacle !
