What are Red Hot Pokers?

The red hot poker plant (Kniphofia uvaria), also known as torch lily, is native to South Africa. Here in the United States, they are hardy in Zones 6-9. You can grow it as far north as Zone 5 with winter protection.

Red hot poker plants grow from rhizomes that spread easily. They have been naturalized in parts of the world where they were introduced and are considered invasive in South Australia and Southern California.

Large varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, while dwarf varieties grow 1 to 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Unlike their cousins, the aloes, red hot poker cards are not as thick and juicy. Although similar in shape, they are sword-like and have sharp, pointed tips. The edges are also sharp so deer and rabbits stay away.

Leaves grow directly from the roots, like an iris. It is evergreen in warm climates and deciduous (loses its leaves in fall) in cool climates.

The flowers are eye-catching. Like iris, they grow on a stem that arises from a rhizome. They are tubular and grow in clusters shaped like bottle brushes. The flowers are red or orange but turn yellow or gold with age, giving them a torch-like appearance, hence their other name, torch lily.

Flowering time is from late spring to early summer. Flowers last 18 days on plants. Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds find it irresistible. Remove spent flowers to encourage new flowers to grow. If you don’t remove them, they will begin to set seeds and the plant will not produce any new flowers.

How to Grow Red Hot Pokers

Due to their size, hot pokers should be planted 18 to 24 inches apart. Dwarf varieties can be planted close together or in a pot.

Hot red buckeyes enjoy full sun but will tolerate some shade. In the warmer parts of its range, a little afternoon shade is welcome. The plants will grow in almost any soil as long as it is well-drained. They are susceptible to crown rot in wet soil. The pH should be neutral to slightly acidic.

In its first year in your garden, keep red hot poultry evenly moist as it emerges. Then they can tolerate short periods of drought. Give them an inch of water each week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

How to Protect Red Hot Pokers in the Winter

There are different strategies used to ensure your plants survive the winter depending on where you live. In warmer parts of its range, where the leaves are evergreen, tie the leaves together to prevent the crown from getting wet and rotting.

In areas where plants are thin (losing their leaves in the fall), cover your plants with a thick layer of leaves to protect them from cold, wet winter weather.

Farther north, Zones 5 and 6, used both strategies. Cover the crowns with a thick layer of leaves, then tie the plant leaves together to hold the leaf covering in place and provide additional protection.

How to Divide Red Hot Pokers

Like most perennials, your collection of hotpots will grow larger each year. You may be tempted to split it, but that’s not a good idea. Splitting it will damage the roots. The best way to prevent your hot pokers from getting crowded is to remove and reapply the offsets.

Offsets are small plants that grow around the outside of the rhizome. In the spring, dig carefully around young plants and check if they have roots. You only want to remove the ones that are rooted. Use a sharp, clean knife to cut the offset off the main rhizome.

Plant your offsets 18 to 24 inches apart in a sunny location. Keep them evenly moist during their first year as they settle into their new homes. After the first year, you can return to watering it at a rate of one inch per week.

How to Grow Red Hot Pokers From Seed

Red Hot Poker can be grown from seed. The easiest way is to let the flowers die and go to seed. The seed will fall to the ground and grow the following spring. They need cool weather before they can germinate.

If you want to start the seeds indoors, you will need to refrigerate them. 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost, wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel. Then place the paper towel inside the plastic bag to keep it moist. Keep the bag in your refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

After 4 weeks, remove the seeds from the paper towel and plant them in peat pots or biodegradable containers. Barely cover the seeds with soil. Place your pots on a heat mat that keeps them at a constant temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Then prepare to be patient. It may take up to 3 months for the seeds to germinate.

Once the plants reach 2 inches in height, they can be planted outside in your garden. Plant the peat pot completely so as not to disturb the fine new roots. Space your plants 18 to 24 inches apart. They will flower during the second year of growth.