Genus
Thunbergia
12 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 4 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 8 still protected comes off patent on February 9, 2031.
Still under patent — 8 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- NEBTHU 007PP23165Thunbergia plant named ‘NEBTHU 007’UNDER PATENTFebruary 9, 2031
- WesthushiyelPP26615Thunbergia plant named ‘Westhushiyel’UNDER PATENTApril 13, 2034
- VOLTHU 7897PP29718Thunbergia plant named ‘VOLTHU 7897’UNDER PATENTMay 5, 2037
- VOLTHU 7828PP29719Thunbergia plant named ‘VOLTHU 7828’UNDER PATENTMay 5, 2037
- VOLTHU 7887PP29732Thunbergia plant named ‘VOLTHU 7887’UNDER PATENTMay 5, 2037
- VOLTHU 7898PP29733Thunbergia plant named ‘VOLTHU 7898’UNDER PATENTMay 5, 2037
- DL1501PP30215Thunbergia plant named ‘DL1501’UNDER PATENTJuly 6, 2037
- VOLTHU 9327PP33361Thunbergia plant named ‘VOLTHU 9327’UNDER PATENTSeptember 18, 2040
Already in the public domain — 4 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.
- Sumthun 02PP17962Thunbergia plant named ‘Sumthun 02’PUBLIC DOMAINFebruary 17, 2026
- Lemon StarPP14371Thunbergia plant named ‘Lemon Star’PUBLIC DOMAINApril 1, 2022
- Orange WonderPP14767Thunbergia plant named ‘Orange Wonder’PUBLIC DOMAINApril 1, 2022
- DaniellaPP12893Thunbergia plant named ‘Daniella’PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 4, 2021
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.