Kniphofia spp.

Red Hot Poker Plant Features

It's pretty obvious where kniphofia got its common name, red hot poker. This tough-as-nails, sun-loving perennial produces tall spikes of red, yellow, or bi-colored flowers in mid- to late summer. Red hot poker's flowers are also nectar-rich so they will draw butterflies and hummingbirds from miles around. Plus, even when not in bloom, the lance-shaped foliage of red hot poker adds interest and texture in the garden. In the northern part of its range, red hot poker is evergreen, adding color to your garden even in the drabbest months. Red hot poker grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is rabbit and deer resistant. Hardy from zones 5-9.
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Outdoor Beds Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2'-3' to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well. Common Name: Red Hot Poker Unlike a poker player, this plant is more than happy to show you all of its fantastic cards: useful garden height, vigor in the landscape, and a rich flower color. After the first flush of flowers, this Kniphofia will continue to rebloom with new flower spikes, staying in bloom for most of the summer. The striking red hot poker plant (Kniphofia uvaria) is in the Liliaceae family and is also known as poker plant and torch lily. This plant thrives in USDA zones 5 through 9 and is an upright evergreen perennial with a clumping habit. Over 70 known species exist of this South African native plant. Red Hot Poker Plant. Granular (Yes/No) Yes. 5 (-20 to -10 F),6 (-10 to 0 F.

Red Hot Poker Growing Instructions

Plant red hot poker in a sunny spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sun a day. Red hot poker is not fussy about soil type, but prefers life on the dry side so keep it away from poorly drained locations. Clip away the flower stalks after they fade.
Red Hot Poker is not recommended for human or animal consumption.

• Light

  Outside: Sun

• Colors

  Red, Yellow

• Water

  Medium water needs

• Special Features

  Attracts butterflies
  Attracts hummingbirds
  Deer/rabbit resistant

Complement your Red Hot Poker with these varieties:

Varieties: Our Favorites

Kniphofia uvaria 'Echo Mango'

Echo Mango red hot poker is a favorite because of its extra-long bloom season, drought tolerance, and attractiveness to hummingbirds. It grows 36 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Zones 6-9

Kniphofia uvaria 'Echo Rojo'

With blooms from midsummer to autumn, Echo Rojo red hot poker is a must-have for sunny perennial gardens -- or as an annual in containers. It grows 40 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Zones 6-9

Dwarf Red Hot Poker Plant

Kniphofia hirsuta 'Fire Dance'

Fire Dance is an easy-to-grow perennial for sun that shows off deer-resistant, hummingbird-attracting red-and-yellow flowers. It grows only 20 inches tall and wide. Zones 5-9

Kniphofia 'Papaya Popsicle'

Buy Red Hot Poker Plants

Papaya Popsicle red hot poker is a full-sun plant that has orange-and-yellow flower spikes all summer long over a mound of grassy, textural foliage. It grows 18 inches tall and 20 inches wide. Zones 6-9

Kniphofia 'Pineapple Popsicle'

This evergreen perennial stands out from other varieties because of its yellow-green flowers from late spring to early autumn. It grows 28 inches tall. Zones 6-8