If you’re looking to add something exotic to your landscape, then look no further than Kniphofia! Also known as Torch Lilies or Red-Hot Pokers, these plants form substantial, grassy clumps with towering flower spikes that are irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies. Beyond being super easy to grow, these beauties can also manage drought, although they tend to bloom more profusely with supplemental water. So, would you care to learn more about these architectural wonders? Read on!
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Kniphofia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae, first described as a genus in 1794. All species of Kniphofia are native to Africa. Common names include tritoma, red hot poker, torch lily and poker plant.
The genus Kniphofia is named after Johann Hieronymus Kniphof, an 18th-century German physician and botanist.
The genus has herbaceous and evergreen species. The herbaceous species and hybrids have narrow, grass-like leaves 10–100 cm (4–39 in) long, while evergreen species have broader, strap-shaped foliage up to 1.5 m (5 ft) long. All plants produce spikes of upright, brightly coloured flowers well above the foliage, in shades of red, orange and yellow, often bicoloured. The flowers produce copious nectar while blooming and are attractive to bees and sunbirds. In the New World, they may attract nectarivores such as hummingbirds and New World orioles.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Grow your red hot poker plants in full sun for the best blooms. They will tolerate some shade and can benefit from afternoon shade in climates with hot summers.
Temperature and Humidity
Indigenous to South Africa, red hot pokers can be hardy as far north as zone 5, especially with good drainage and mulch, through zone 9. In cold climates, winterize the plants by covering their crowns with mulch.
Watering
Kniphofia has modest water needs once established. Water frequently after planting and less frequently in subsequent seasons.
Soil
These plants need soil that drains well. They are generally tough perennials, but poor drainage is one of the few things that will kill them. Damp soil is particularly problematic in winter, as it promotes root rot.
Fertilizing
Plants in nutritious soil typically do not need feeding. If the soil is poor, feed with a slow-release fertilizer to promote blooms.
Planting Instructions
Spring is the best time to plant Kniphofia roots in the garden, as they produce flowers for several weeks in the summer and go dormant in the winter. You can expect roots to begin to grow and top growth to become evident within just a few weeks of planting.
- Find a spot where the soil drains well and your plants will receive plenty of direct sunlight.
- Dig holes and plant the roots 18 to 42” apart, depending on the specific type, with the crown at the soil line.
- Water thoroughly after planting, soaking the soil to settle it around the roots.
Pruning
When flowers begin to fade, simply cut them away from the stem with a sharp pair of garden shears. Cut them about one-half inch below the flowers.
Propagation
Red hot poker plants can be propagated by division or seeds. Here’s how to propagate by division:
- Divide in spring to minimize overcrowding.
- Remove offsets from the perimeter of clumps rather than dividing clumps down the middle. Division can damage the plant’s bloom cycle, especially with mature clumps.2
- Lift the plants from the ground and tease the clumps apart with your fingers.
- Replant immediately.
How to Grow from Seed
In warm areas, you can sow the seeds directly into the garden. If growing red hot poker plants from seed indoors, here’s how:
- The entire flower of the red hot poker is filled with seeds. Cut the flower heads as they begin to fade and let them dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours.
- Break open the florets and let the seeds drop into a container. Place the seeds in the refrigerator for one month.
- Sow the seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before you intend to plant them in the ground. Use pots that are several inches deep, as red hot poker plants form a long taproot.
- Keep them in good quality potting soil, keep that soil moist, and keep the temperature between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Plants should germinate within 28 days or so.
Overwintering
If you live on the colder side of the growing range, mulch your plants for winter protection and wait until spring to prune back the foliage. The leaves will furnish a bit of extra protection against the cold. You can also bind the leaves together to create a protective cover for the plant’s crown (otherwise, it’s fine to remove a few unwanted leaves here or there throughout the growing season).
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Thrips may appear in some areas for red hot poker plants, though the genus experiences no other significant pest or disease problems.
Common Problems
Yellowing Leaves
If you notice yellowing leaves, your red hot poker plant may not be getting enough light. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Wilting Leaves
Wilting leaves on a red hot poker plant can be indicative of overwatering. These plants need little water, so cut back on watering and see if leaves perk back up again.
III. Uses and Benefits
Kniphofias are an excellent border plant when combined with companion Canna lily and make wonderful companion plants for daylilies.
The tall flower spikes of the Red Hot Poker plants are very attractive when used as cut flowers and added to arrangements.
The bright, colorful, tubular flowers attract butterflies, bees, and pollinators of all sorts to the garden.
For this reason, the torch flower is an excellent choice for a hummingbird or butterfly garden.
Large varieties of Kniphofia are ideal for garden settings or even as specimen plants.
They don’t do well as container plants. However, smaller dwarf varieties grow beautifully and successfully when kept in containers.
IV. Types of Red Hot Poker
- ‘Red Hot Popsicle’: One of the ‘Popsicle’ series of cultivars; a dwarf variety that grows to two feet tall (with flower) and 18 inches wide with red flowers
- ‘Pineapple Popsicle’: Same as the above variety, with yellow flowers
- ‘Mango Popsicle’: Also same as the above varieties, with orange flowers
- ‘Ice Queen’: Lime-yellow to light-yellow flowers (sometimes described as white); grows four feet tall (with flower) and two feet wide
- ‘Lady Luck’: An unusually tall variety that grows about 5 feet tall and about 3 feet wide with white flowers
Find Where to Buy the Best Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia)
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