Red hot poker plants, also known as torch lilies or kniphofia, are a beloved and eye-catching perennial. Their tall, brightly colored flower spikes give them an exotic, almost tropical look that stands out in any garden. If you’re looking to add some heat and height to your beds and borders, red hot poker is an excellent choice. Here’s what you need to know about finding and caring for these fiery beauties.
What Are Red Hot Poker Plants?
Red hot poker plants belong to the genus Kniphofia, which contains around 70 different species. They are native to Africa but grow well in many other temperate and subtropical regions.
These herbaceous perennials get their common name from their upright poker-shaped flower spikes. The blooms appear in late spring through summer on thick bamboo-like stems that can reach 3-6 feet tall. Flower colors include yellow, coral, orange, red, and bi-colored varieties.
Beyond their showy blooms, red hot pokers are prized for their long bloom time and easy care requirements. They thrive with full sun exposure and resent being moved once established. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, these tough plants can withstand heat, drought, deer, and poor soil.
Where to Buy Red Hot Poker Plants
You can find red hot poker plants at most nurseries and garden centers during spring and summer. For the widest selection, shop online retailers that specialize in perennials. Reputable sellers will ship healthy, container-grown plants ready to transplant into your garden.
When shopping for kniphofia, look for companies that guarantee live arrival This ensures you can get replacements if your plants arrive damaged Check customer reviews to help select vigorous, nursery-propagated cultivars over less reliable seed-grown varieties.
Popular Red Hot Poker Varieties
With dozens of kniphofia cultivars to choose from, it helps to know the most popular options:
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‘Flamenco’ – Coral-orange and yellow bicolor blooms on 4-5′ stems over a long season.
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‘Alcazar’ – Coral-red flowers fade to yellow from June to September. Grows 5-6′ tall.
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‘Royal Castle’ – Dense spikes of golden orange appear in midsummer on 4-5′ plants.
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‘Poco’ – Compact 2-3′ height with orange-red blooms ideal for containers and smaller gardens.
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‘Little Maid’ – A petite cultivar under 2′ tall that blooms in coral-red and yellow.
Growing Conditions for Red Hot Pokers
When choosing planting sites for your new red hot poker plants, mimic their native growing conditions for optimal results:
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Full sun – At least 6 hours of direct sun daily keeps plants blooming strongly. Morning sun is ideal.
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Well-drained soil – Kniphofia won’t tolerate wet, soggy soil and are prone to rot. Amend heavy clay or sandy soils prior to planting.
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Moderate fertility – Rich soil causes floppy growth. Use a balanced fertilizer at half strength if plants need a nutrient boost.
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Neutral pH – Ideal pH is around 6.5-7.0. Add garden lime if soil is too acidic.
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Even moisture – Established plants are quite drought tolerant but need regular watering until their root systems develop.
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Good air circulation – Space plants 2-3 feet apart to allow air movement and prevent fungal diseases.
How to Plant and Care for Red Hot Pokers
With proper planting and care, your red hot pokers will thrive for years to come:
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Prepare beds by loosening soil and mixing in compost. Space plants 2-3 feet apart in rows or groups.
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Dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and wedge the plant in firmly. Water deeply after planting.
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Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Replenish as needed.
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Water weekly during the first season, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Mature plants are very drought tolerant.
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Stake tall varieties if needed to prevent flopping. Leave some spent flower spikes over winter for visual interest.
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Cut back any damaged foliage in early spring. Divide crowded clumps every 3-4 years in spring after new growth emerges.
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Watch for aphids, spider mites, scale, and fungal leaf spots. Treat promptly to keep pests and diseases under control.
Designing With Red Hot Pokers
Thanks to their vertical form and bold colors, red hot pokers make excellent accent plants. Here are some tips for working them into your landscape:
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Use groups of 3-7 plants in perennial or mixed borders for maximum impact.
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Plant kniphofia as a colorful backdrop to lower-growing flowers like lavender, salvia, and daisies.
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Place taller varieties along fences, foundations, or property lines to create a living screen.
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Grow dwarf cultivars like ‘Poco Orange’ in containers on patios and deck areas.
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Create a hot color scheme with orange, red, and yellow blooming perennials and annuals.
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Contrast kniphofia with cool blue and purple flowers like iris, lobelia, and veronica.
Add Sizzling Drama with Red Hot Pokers
Looking for an easy yet showy perennial that injects color, height, and texture into gardens and landscapes? Red hot poker plants check all the boxes. Their vibrant flower spikes bloom prolifically over a long season with very little maintenance required. Just be sure to provide this South African native with well-drained soil and full sun for best results. Shop early for the most diverse selection of kniphofia cultivars. In no time, you’ll be enjoying these fiery torch lilies right in your own yard!
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RED HOT POKER VARIETIES Swipe to view slides
Photo by: Proven Winners.
PYROMANIA® ORANGE BLAZE — Buy now from Proven Winners Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 5-9 Height/Spread: 36 to 42 inches tall, 24 to 30 inches wide
‘Orange Blaze is a vigorous variety producing bright orange flowers throughout the summer months. The medium-sized growth habit is suitable for mixed borders, beds, and mass plantings.
Photo by: Proven Winners.
PYROMANIA® SOLAR FLARE — Buy now from Proven Winners Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 5-9 Height/Spread: 36 to 42 inches tall, 24 to 30 inches wide
Bright yellow flowers hold their color throughout the growing season. Combine with red or orange flowers for sizzling color, or colors of blue and purple for complementary contrast. The medium size is suitable for mixed borders, mass plantings, and rock gardens.
Photo by: Proven Winners.
PYROMANIA® HOT AND COLD — Buy now from Proven Winners Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 5-9 Height/Spread: 30 to 36 inches tall, 24 to 30 inches wide
This variety is named for the flowers with tangerine orange tips and cool white bottoms for a hot and cold effect. Plants flower earlier in the season than other varieties, with rebloom throughout the summer. Plant this medium-sized variety in a tropical-themed border or mass in the landscape.
Photo by: Proven Winners.
PYROMANIA® FLASHPOINT — Buy now from Proven Winners Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 5-9 Height/Spread: 48 to 54 inches tall, 30 to 36 inches wide
Flowers are chartreuse-yellow at the tips, graduating to golden yellow, then creamy white at the bottom for a multi-colored effect. Use this taller variety to create vertical interest in a mixed border, or as a striking focal point in the landscape.
Photo by: Proven Winners
PYROMANIA® ROCKETS RED GLARE Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 6-9 Height/Spread: 30 to 36 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
Rich red flower buds open to peachy cream for a striking two-toned effect in the landscape. Plant this medium-sized variety in a container, rock garden, or mass in a bed or border.
Photo by: Proven Winners
PYROMANIA® BACKDRAFT Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 5-9 Height/Spread: 24 to 30 inches tall and wide
The showy blooms of ‘Backdraft’ produce bright orange-red buds that open to peachy yellow for a graduated effect. Plants rebloom for late season color in the landscape. Use this medium-sized variety for mixed borders, curbside plantings, and containers.
Photo by: Alex Manders / Shutterstock.
MANGO POPSICLE Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 6-9 Height/Spread: 18 to 30 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide
Part of the ‘Popsicle’ series, the iridescent mango-orange flowers act as a bright beacon in the landscape. This award winner blooms prolifically on sturdy stems, with grassy foliage that stays neat all summer. Use this dwarf variety in a mixed border, mass plantings, or containers.
Photo by: Tom Carnes / Shutterstock.
FLAMENCO Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 5-9 Height/Spread: 24 to 36 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide
This improved variety blooms in its first year in mixed tones of orange and yellow. Plant alongside complementary blue-flowered plants such as catmint or Russian sage to create contrast in the landscape. Mass in a border or cut flower garden.
Photo by: Walters Gardens, Inc.
LADY LUCK Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 6-9 Height/Spread: 5 to 6 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide
Statuesque flower spikes come in cooler tones of chartreuse, pale yellow, and creamy white for an eye-catching multi-colored effect. Pair with blue or purple flowers for complementary contrast. Use this taller variety as a focal point in the landscape or towards the back of a mixed border. Protect the flower spikes from strong winds to prevent toppling.
Photo by: Walters Gardens, Inc.
TAWNY KING Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 6-9 Height/Spread: 3 to 5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Tawny apricot flowers lighten to cream as they age for a two-toned effect. The flowers are borne on dark burgundy stems for striking contrast. Combine this taller variety with pink, purple, or blue-flowered plants such as lavender, catmint, and coneflower.
Photo by: Walters Gardens, Inc.
NANCYS RED Kniphofia hybrid
Zones: 6-9 Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall and wide
Bright coral-red flowers light up the landscape with long lasting flowers that occur in succession throughout the summer months. Use this dwarf variety for smaller spaces, containers, as a focal point, or in mass plantings.
HOW TO PLANT RED HOT POKERS
Photo by: Gardens by Design / Shutterstock.
Plant in spring when all danger of frost is past.
Red hot pokers grow best in a wind-protected site with rich, well-drained soil that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day.
Loosen soil in planting area and lightly amend with compost or other organic matter. If plants are pot-bound, gently tease out the roots. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and place in the planting hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill in the hole with soil, tamp down gently to remove air pockets, and water thoroughly. Water plants regularly until established.
Kniphofia is tolerant of a range of soils as long as there is good drainage. Plants perform best in moderately rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Amend the existing soil with compost or other rich organic matter before planting. Poorly draining soil can cause root or crown rot. For containers, use a high quality all-purpose potting mix.
Pyromania ‘Hot and Cold’ Red Hot Pokers
FAQ
Do red hot poker plants come back every year?
Red hot poker is a perennial plant and will come back every year in zones 5-9, but it may require additional care in the winter in colder zones.
Where is the best place to plant red hot pokers?
- Light: Red hot poker plant blooms best in full sun, but tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates.
- Soil: Red hot poker is tolerant of many soil types, but doesn’t grow well in poorly-drained soil that stays soggy after watering or rains, especially in winter.
Does red hot poker plant spread?
Kniphofia spreads through its rhizomatous root system and can have an aggressive growth habit when provided ideal growing conditions. Divide and move plants as needed to keep them under control.
Do red hot pokers multiply?
The best way to propagate kniphofias is to divide them in spring. Dig up a clump and use a spade or sharp knife to slice through the rootball, ensuring there are growing tips on each new clump. Replant one of the clumps in the original planting hole and use the others to increase your stock of kniphofias elsewhere.
What is a red hot poker plant called?
The red hot poker plant is also known by several other names, including torch lily, tritoma, poker plant, and knofflers. Its scientific or biological name is Kniphofia. It is a plant native to South Africa and belongs to the Asphodelaceae family, which is a new family separated from the large lily family. Red hot poker plants can grow up to about 1.5 meters tall, or approximately 5 feet.
How many types of red hot poker plants are there?
Kniphofia has over 71 species, including, K. tysonii, K. linearifolia, K. reflexa, and K. rooperi, which come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. For example, K. tysonii has orange to dark red blooms and K. linearifolia has greenish-yellow flowers. Here are the different cultivars of red hot poker plants:
Where can I buy Red Hot Poker perennials?
You can buy Red Hot Poker perennials from The Home Depot. Get free shipping on qualified Red Hot Poker Perennials or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Outdoors Department. The Home Depot is the #1 Home Improvement Retailer.
Are red hot pokers easy to grow?
Easy-to-grow in average garden conditions, Red Hot Pokers are successful in a variety of soils including clay. Gardening Questions? Kniphofia is sturdy South African native known for its tough, easy-to-grow nature. It has long grass-like foliage and unusual bi-color flower spikes in shades of orange and yellow.
What is a red hot poker Lily?
Kniphofia (nĭ-foh-FEE-uh), also known as Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily, is a striking, herbaceous, long-lived perennial plant easily recognized by its tall, stout flower stalks topped with richly vibrant, torch-like, blossoms. Available in fiery shades Read More
Are red hot poker plants invasive?
Trim the foliage base to a few inches above the ground in the spring to give the plant a fresh start for the growth ahead. In some areas, this plant spreads rapidly through aggressive rhizomes. Currently, it is considered invasive in California and Oregon. Grow your red hot poker plants in full sun for the best blooms.