When a plant receives credibility due to its adaptability to growing in Florida landscapes, you should take notice. The firespike – a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved plant – is one such selection noted for its ornamental beauty and stellar landscape performance. Not only is the firespike a colorful planting material for any landscape, but it is also an evergreen semi-woody perennial shrub that will succeed throughout Charlotte County.
In preface, while the firespike has naturalized in some areas of Florida, it is not technically considered an invasive plant. However, maintain a cautionary eye to prevent any escapes into surrounding natural areas. At a glance – firespike – a plant originally from Central America – may remind you of a giant salvia with its colorful flower spike. Much more robust than salvia, and growing to about four-feet tall, firespike has large dark green leaves up to seven inches long. The red or purple flowers are tubular in shape and are clustered on narrow spikes. While fall and winter are peak blooming periods, firespike plants can bloom year-round in our area. The red-flowering specimen in our Demonstration Garden on Harborview Road is in fact in full bloom right now. These flowers are particularly favored by hungry butterflies and hummingbirds, so plan accordingly and expect these garden visitors.
Firespike is moderately drought tolerant once established but has no salt tolerance to speak of. Perhaps the best way to display this plant is in mass plantings where individual specimens are spaced about two feet apart. While full sun conditions will produce the best blooms, firespike plants will flower well even in partially shaded conditions. In addition to mass planting, firespike plants are noted as making exceptional fresh-cut flowers for arrangements. Hardy from zone 8b to 11, winter frosts and freezes can cause some temporary damage to firespike specimens. However, nature’s pruning helps keep this large clumping perennial in-bounds and under control. In the spring, you can clean up any winter damage by pruning it to the ground. A special feature of firespike plants is their relative tolerance to nematodes in comparison to other ornamental plants – a good feature to possess in our nematode-infested soils.
Easy to propagate, increase firespike plants with clump divisions or from cuttings. This is another pass-along plant to share with neighbors and friends when propagating. While I find the red firespike eye-catching, the purple (as well as the pink which is more of a lavender) version is an interesting twist that really captures eye appeal in the landscape as well as its Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ approved status! For more information on year-round color in the landscape from plants such as the firespike, or to ask a question, please visit https://www.facebook.com/CharlotteCountyExtension. You can also call the Master Gardener Volunteer Helpdesk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1 to 4 pm at 764-4340 for gardening help and insight into their role as an Extension volunteer. Ralph E. Mitchell is the Director/Horticulture Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County. He can be reached at 941-764-4344 or ralph.mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov. Connect with us on social media. Like us on Facebook @CharlotteCountyExtension and follow us on Instagram @ifascharco.
Resources:
Gilman, E. F., Delvalle, T., Klein, R. W. & Hansen, G. (2023) Odontonema strictum Firespike. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Firespike (2026) Gardening Solutions. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design (2022) The University of Florida Extension Services.
Lamborn, A. R. & Brown, K. (2015) Odontonema strictum Firespike. The University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS – Baker County.
Christman, S. (2007) Odontonema strictum. Floridata – https://floridata.com/plant/214.
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