About
Kniphofia _praecox, the greater red-hot poker, is a vigorous, herbaceous perennial reaching approximately 1.5 m in height when in flower, with green, linear, grass-like leaves. Upright spikes of tubular, orange and yellow flowers appear in early summer and, in milder gardens, may extend into winter. A bold and reliable red-hot poker for a large, sunny, well-drained border.
About the genus
Kniphofia, the red-hot pokers or torch lilies, may be evergreen or herbaceous perennials with linear or strap-shaped leaves and erect stems bearing a dense raceme of tubular, usually pendent flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, cream and green. Bold and ornamental plants for sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun and fertile, moist but well-drained soil that isn’t too wet over winter. See kniphofia cultivation for further advice
PruningCut down old flower stems after flowering; old or dead leaves can be tidied up or removed in mid-spring
PropagationPropagate by division of established clumps in late spring or by taking offshoots from the crown
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, thrips, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free