PlantFiles: Variegated Firespike, Odontonema
Odontonema cuspidatum 'Gray White'

There was quite a hooraaraa about this plant when it was offered in the early 1990's by a well known midwest nursery as a variegated Odontonema. It was then sold by a Mississippi perennial nursery as such. As soon as it bloomed it was obviously a Pseuderanthemum and the MS nursury pulled it from their catalogue. The midwest nursery never did and it looks as though it's still in the trade under the wrong name. That's really a shame.

It is a lovely plant for the shade garden with unusual variegation. The blooms are small purple/lavender flwers. It's easy from cuttings and ground hardy in the gulf south if deeply mulched. It's never self sown for me as the other Pseuderanthemums do so riotously.

Unfortunately I can't find much information on this plant.

What I do know is that it was very easy to propagate from cuttings and it does really well in the shade and in South Texas heat.

I anxiously look forward to seeing it bloom, but even if they are a disappointment I would continue to grow this plant in my garden as the foliage is wonderful to look at.