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What is a Torch Lily?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,353
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A torch lily or Kniphofia uvaria is a plant native to tropical South Africa. Despite being a tropical native, this plant is quite hardy and can be grown in a variety of climates. It has been exported as an ornamental plant to gardens all over the world and is readily available at many nurseries. People can also cultivate torch lilies from seeds or divisions provided by fellow gardeners. Gardening forums provide opportunities for people to trade plants for propagation and can be a good resource for finding unusual torch lily cultivars.

The torch lily has long, fleshy leaves and upright stems topped with bright red to orange flower clusters that can also be yellow, white, or pink. The flowers themselves take the form of very small tubes clustered together to create a large and very distinctive flame-like arrangement. Torch lilies are eye catching and can grow up to three feet (approximately one meter) across in addition to flowering throughout the spring and summer if they are encouraged by deadheading the flowers.

Also known as the red hot poker, the torch lily prefers to grow in full sun. It can be cultivated successfully in USDA zones five through 10. Moist, well drained soil is recommended and in cool climates, it can be advisable to mulch during the winter to protect the roots. Torch lilies tend to die back in the fall and winter. The foliage can be clipped away as it dies back. The crown of the plant can sometimes be subject to mold and rot in moist climates and clearing dead foliage away will help to prevent this problem.

This hardy plant can be used as a standalone garden feature or part of a massed planting. Torch lilies can tend to sprawl and it is important to provide them with enough room. Planting them against an evergreen to create a dark backdrop is recommended to help the distinctive flowers stand out. Many plants are suitable for companion planting with torch lilies, ranging from succulents to complement the fleshy leaves and stems to vines to create a tropical feel in the garden.

These plants can be grown from seed indoors at any time of the year, and in some regions are kept as house plants. Torch lily seedlings should be transplanted outdoors in the spring. Division can be done in spring or fall to break up large plants and create new starts. Gardeners should be advised that the plants will flower less for around two years after division while they recover.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments
By bagley79 — On Jul 13, 2011

Like most lilies, the torch lily will multiply and you can continue to add more plants if you want to every year. I enjoy working with lily bulbs because they are very forgiving and you really can't do too much to destroy them.

I have quite a few hummingbirds visit mine when they are in bloom. It must be the red color that helps attract them.

By honeybees — On Jul 13, 2011

I have grown torch lily plants for about 4 years and don't do much to maintain them. In the spring, I will remove all the dead leaves and trim the remaining leaves back a few inches.

This gives the plant a much neater looking appearance and even encourages some growth. Other than that I just enjoy the colorful red and yellow blooms it produces every year.

Another benefit in my area, is that the deer don't seem to bother them. I get so frustrated when I walk outside and see the flowers that the deer have been munching on at night, but they seem to leave these alone.

By SarahSon — On Jul 12, 2011

We live down a long lane, and have two large rocks at the front of our property. I was looking for something to plant by these rocks that would be tall, colorful and come back every year.

I saw these advertised in a gardening catalog as red hot pokers, and decided I would order some to plant behind my rocks.

Because they are at the end of the lane, the only water they get is when it rains. They are very hardy and seem to tolerate the long, hot summers very well. They have such an interesting looking bloom and I have received many compliments on them.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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