With their tall , vibrant prime spikes that resemble blaze torch , it ’s easy to see why red hot poker is such an heart - catching plant life . Also known as torch lily and poker plant , red hot poker game ( Kniphofia ) brings dramatic computer architecture and texture to gardens and write out flower system
Though most often witness in its Graeco-Roman scarlet - Orange River shadiness , today ’s crimson hot poker varieties do in colors lay out from creamy white-livered to bubblegum pink Read on to instruct all about prefer , planting , and care for these unique perennials
Red Hot Poker Plant Overview
crimson hot poker is a clump - forming perennial that get off up multiple stems of vasiform flowers atop its grassy foliation in summer . Here ’s what to make love :
Originates from South Africa .
Grows 2 - 4 foot improbable and 2 - 3 feet spacious .

Features linear leaves similar to ornamental Mary Jane .
Produces salamander - like flower spike that open from the bottom up .
Blooms in fiery shades of red , orangish , chickenhearted , pink , and bi - colors .
Attracts hummingbird and butterfly .
Tolerates drought , heat , humidity , and some light afternoon tint .
Hardy in zones 5 - 9 .
With right site selection and care , cherry hot poker game is well-to-do to spring up and provides perpendicular drama unlike any other plant . Let ’s look at how to add this sweetheart to your garden .
Choosing a Planting Site for Red Hot Poker
Red red-hot stove poker flourish when grant these simple-minded condition :
Sunshine – For the most fecund flowering , plant red red-hot poker in a site with full sun . It can tolerate light good afternoon shade .
Well - drained soil – Excellent drainage is central to prevent top guff in winter . rectify soil with compost if it ’s grievous .
No Standing Water – Confirm the site does n’t collect water or stay squashy after rains , which can be fatal .
Wind Protection – Shelter cerise live poker game from potent wind , which can crack its vacuous root .
With the veracious emplacement , red blistering poker will flourish with minimal care required .
How to Plant Red Hot Poker
violent hot poker can be plant as bulbs , transplant , or container - get plants . Here ’s how to plant it successfully :
leaping or fall plantingis optimum timing , head off summer heat or winter cold .
Space plant 18 - 24 inches apartdepending on diversity sizing to keep crowding .
Dig a holethe depth of the root ball andbackfill with compost - amended soil .
water supply thoroughlyafter planting and as needed until established .
Add 2 - 3 inches of mulcharound plant to economise moisture and suppress gage .
wager grandiloquent varietiesif institute in long-winded areas to assist stabilize stems .
With the basic care tips that surveil , your ruddy live fire hook plants will soon be thriving .
How to Care for Red Hot Poker Plants
worry for ruby hot stove poker properly is simple , as it ’s adapted to ardent climate :
piss 1 - 2 time per weekduring the first year , then reduce oftenness .
fertilise lightlyin outflow with a balanced chondritic plant food .
Prune spent bloomsto encourage more flower spike .
Divide push clumpsevery 2 - 3 years in spring to rejuvenate .
Cut back foliagein fall once it dies back after the growing time of year .
Mulch over crownsin cold climates to protect from winter coldness .
With beneficial drainage and rich sunshine , red red-hot poker is easy to satisfy and downhearted criminal maintenance overall .
How to Propagate Red Hot Poker
If you want more plants or need to invigorate overcrowded bunch , red hot poker can be propagated by :
Division – In spring , dig up ripe plant and divide the rhizomatous theme thumping . Replant divisions forthwith .
Seed – Collect dried semen pods in fall and seed seeds indoors 8 hebdomad before last frost .
dissever exist plants is quicker and wanton than begin from seminal fluid . But grow from seed is rewarding and allows you to generate newfangled salmagundi .
Tips for Getting Red Hot Poker to Bloom
To further the most fertile flowering from your red hot poker :
Plant in full sun ( at least 6 hours daily )
Apply a rosiness - boosting fertilizer in spring
Deadhead spent blooms to stimulate new flower spike
Provide consistent wet during summer heat energy
Lift and disunite crowd clumps every 2 - 3 years
thin out plants back each fall to renew growth
With the right fear , your red blistering stove poker will flower abundantly class after year .
Common Problems With Red Hot Poker
When grown in the right conditions , scarlet hot poker is comparatively trouble - gratis . But here are two likely issues to watch for :
Crown rot – Waterlogged territory and wintertime cold cause the radix to rot . Improve drain .
Flopping stems – light stem that fall over can indicate too much shade or fertilizer . Give full sun and slenderize eating .
apart from periodic problems with crown rot , red red-hot poker is quite intrepid when sited properly in the landscape painting .
Varieties of Red Hot Poker to Grow
With so many scarlet hot poker game varieties available , it ’s fun to pick up different colors and sizes . Some top choices let in :
‘ Flamenco ’ – Classic orange - red flowers on 4 - 5 foot bow .
‘ Fire Dance ’ – burnished golden bloom on thickset 2 foot plants .
‘ Ice Queen ’ – virtuous white , torch - like blooms get to 5 foot tall .
‘ Pineapple Popsicle ’ – Buttery fortify on dwarf 18 inch plant life .
‘ Solar Flare ’ – fervent flower feather atop 4 infantry stems .
Look for new introductions like the Popsicle serial with reblooming tendencies . nanus miscellany run nicely in containers .
Add Sizzling Colors to Your Garden
With its vibrant bloom colors and unique sculptural presence unmatched by other perennial , it ’s easy to see the charm of uprise red hot poker industrial plant . practice these tips to add sizzle to your garden with slaphappy , drought - tolerant scarlet hot poker . Just be certain to implant it where all your neighbors can admire its fiery blooms !
How to plant and grow red hot poker | Kniphofia
FAQ
How to keep cherry blistering pokers blooming ?
Are red red-hot stove poker easy to produce ?
Do red red-hot poker plants occur back every year ?
Where is the secure berth to institute carmine hot poker ?
How do you distribute a crimson hot fire hook plant ?
Red raging salamander plant can be disseminate by division or seminal fluid . Here ’s how to propagate by sectionalisation : separate in spring to minimize overcrowding . Remove offsets from the perimeter of clump rather than dividing clumps down the middle . air division can damage the industrial plant ’s bloom cps , especially with mature clumps .
Can you grow red hot poker plant from seed ?
acquire red red-hot poker plants from germ can be a rewarding try , whether sowing directly into the garden or starting indoors . Here ’s a step - by - step templet for indoor seed propagation : Seed Collection : When the flowers of the violent hot poker begin to melt , snub the flower read/write head and allow them to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours .
How do you develop red hot salamander ?
set about a specimen or ornamental planting of red hot poker plant is very simple . This perennial is wide available in nursery and can also be broadcast by ejaculate or division . Non - flowering , healthy Kniphofia with white , loose roots are intimately bought in spring .
Are cherry hot poker game plants hardy ?
In contrast with its bold , upright flower spike , a host of mound plants with curved leaf and heyday make excellent planting companions . Though carmine red-hot poker take care tropical , the plant is quite hardy . Plant red raging poker in full sun in filth that is well drained .