I find that my verticillatas, even the variegated ones, prefer almost full sun. Hardened mine off over the spring to bright sun (they received some direct sun, for around 2 hours/day) and they grew like crazy. They also seem to grow more in warm weather.

Thank. I have her in a west facing winding in my screened porch so she definitely gets warmth but I'll try to find a sunnier spot and give her a little food. She has about a month or so to prove herself to me, lol.