In cold locations, cut back the foliage in late fall instead. In early spring, cut the foliage back to 3 inches off the ground to clean up the plant and allow new foliage to emerge. In late fall in warm areas, tie the leaves into a canopy over the crown to prevent water from accumulating in the center of the plant in winter. Cut blooms at any time for indoor flower arranging. If left to go to seed, the plant will slow down new flower production.

Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers in summer as they fade to encourage more flower stalks to form. Each spring thereafter, apply a dry granular, balanced, organic fertilizer. Make sure the water saturates the soil 5 to 6 inches deep each time, but let the soil dry out between waterings.įertilizer: Amend the soil at planting with a 2-3 inch thick layer of compost. Provide red hot poker plants with 1 inch of water every week during hot summers. Watering: Although established red hot poker plants can withstand dry periods in summer, lack of adequate watering will cause the flowering to be decreased. Once established they can tolerate drier soils. They grow best in moist, compost amended soils that have a neutral or slightly acidic pH. Soil: Tolerant of many soil types, but doesn’t grow well in poorly-drained soil that stays soggy after watering or rains, especially in winter. Light: Plant blooms best in full sun, but tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates. You can expect roots to begin to grow and top growth to become evident within just a few weeks of planting. 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. While these plants aren’t particularly fussy, they will not survive in soggy conditions or standing water. If you notice puddles of water 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site or amend the soil with organic material to raise the level 2-3 inches. Plant your Kniphofia roots in an outdoor location with well-drained soil that receives full or partial sun. Beyond being super easy to grow, these beauties can also manage drought, although they tend to bloom more profusely with supplemental water. 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. The POPSICLE™ Series Kniphofia are day neutral plants and bloom as long as they have some heat and high light.

Photo red hot poker flower