Kniphofia uvaria aka Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia uvaria is called red-hot poker or torch lily. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family and comes from South Africa. Its native range covers the southwestern and southern Cape. This perennial forms upright clumps and spreads through rhizomes. In the wild, it grows on damp slopes and marshy ground. Garden plants grow fast, but mature clumps need little disturbance.

Flower stems reach about 3–4 feet [0.91–1.22 metres] tall. RHS gives a lower height range, though flowering plants reach 4 feet [1.2 metres]. Spread estimates differ between sources. Missouri Botanical Garden gives 3 feet [0.91 metres]. RHS gives about 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres]. The leaves form a basal tuft about 1.5–2 feet [0.46–0.61 metres] tall. Each long, narrow leaf can reach 3 feet [0.91 metres]. The rough, blue-green blades have a sword-like shape. Sources describe the foliage as evergreen or semi-evergreen.

Thick, leafless stems hold dense racemes of hanging, tubular flowers. Each raceme measures about 0.5–0.8 feet [0.15–0.25 metres] long. Red buds open into flowers that turn yellow with age. This gives the flower heads red tops and yellow bases. RHS also describes orange flowers. Bloom dates vary among sources, from late spring into autumn. Missouri Botanical Garden lists May to June. Hummingbirds and butterflies visit the flowers. The tall stems also suit cutting gardens.

Grow this plant in full sun with moist, well-drained soil. It prefers fertile soil rich in organic matter. Sandy and loamy soils suit it, across a broad pH range. It tolerates drought but dislikes wet, heavy ground. Choose a site with some shelter from wind. USDA hardiness spans zones 5–9, while RHS rates it H5. Protect crowns during winter in zones 5 and 6. Mulch or tied leaves can help shield the crown. Remove old flower stems after bloom and dead leaves in mid-spring.

Use single plants, small groups, or masses in perennial borders. Its upright flower stems provide an accent in small gardens. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. It also has some salt tolerance. Serious pest and disease problems are uncommon. Poor drainage can cause root rot. Aphids, thrips, slugs, and snails may attack it. Divide established clumps in late spring or remove crown offshoots. Plants For A Future lists no known edible or medicinal uses. It reports no known hazards, rather than confirmed safety.