Purple Fire Spike 5" Pot

Purple Fire Spike (Odontonema callistachyum)

As Seen in the Courtyards of Forgotten Colonial Villas

A botanical contradiction: elegant yet wild, tropical yet mysteriously gothic. Its long, slender spikes of tubular lavender blooms seem better suited for the sleeve of a Flamenco dancer than a suburban garden. But don’t be fooled. This isn’t some delicate debutante. It thrives on heat, dances with butterflies, and refuses to apologize for being magnificent.

Plant one near your porch and neighbors will wonder if you’ve taken up secret travels. Or sorcery.

Sun-loving. Pollinator-attracting. Drama-inducing.

Care Instructions for Purple Fire Spike (Odontonema callistachyum)

This beautiful tropical plant is easy to grow and rewards you with long-lasting purple blooms that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and admiration from just about anyone who sees it.

Light:
Prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate a bit of afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.

Watering:
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Once established, it becomes more drought-tolerant.

Soil:
Grows best in well-drained, rich soil. You can amend with compost to give it a good start.

Pruning:
Trim back lightly after flowering to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. It can handle a heavier cutback in late winter or early spring.

Cold Tolerance:
Hardy in USDA Zones 8B–11. In cooler climates, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors during winter, or treated as an annual.

Bloom Season:
Expect vibrant purple flowers from late summer into fall. In warmer zones, blooming may begin earlier.