Genus
Leucothoe
13 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 6 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 7 still protected comes off patent on August 31, 2033.
Still under patent — 7 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- Little FlamesPP25246Leucothoe plant named ‘Little Flames’UNDER PATENTAugust 31, 2033
- Opstal 50PP27132Leucothoe plant named ‘Opstal 50’UNDER PATENTFebruary 7, 2035
- ReJoycePP30821Leucothoe plant name ‘ReJoyce’UNDER PATENTAugust 1, 2037
- BLULE1801PP31796Leucothoe plant named ‘BLULE1801’UNDER PATENTApril 26, 2039
- RANT01PP31897Leucothoe plant named ‘RANT01’UNDER PATENTAugust 7, 2039
- SMNLFGRVPP35833Leucothoe plant named ‘SMNLFGRV’UNDER PATENTAugust 30, 2043
- BLLE01PP37084Leucothoe plant named ‘BLLE01’UNDER PATENTNovember 21, 2044
Already in the public domain — 6 cultivars
Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell these plants — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.
- HOWWPP18396Leucothoe plant named ‘HOWW’PUBLIC DOMAINAugust 31, 2026
- CURLY REDPP17666Leucothoe plant named ‘CURLY RED’PUBLIC DOMAINJune 25, 2025
- LipsbolwiPP10842Leucothoe axillaris plant named `Lipsbolwi`PUBLIC DOMAINDecember 12, 2017
- ZebekotPP5224Leucothoe plant--Zebekot varietyPUBLIC DOMAINJune 22, 2001
- ZebonardPP5229Leucothoe plant--Zebonard varietyPUBLIC DOMAINJune 22, 2001
- Leucothoe plant-zeblid varietyPP5195PUBLIC DOMAINFebruary 28, 2001
A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name comes with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked, so they are always free to use. What it does not free is any brand name the plant is marketed under. Those are trademarks and renew indefinitely.