With their striking red and orange flower spikes, Red Hot Pokers (also known as Torch Lilies) create a glowing display of fiery color all summer long. These perennials are absolute showstoppers, and if you want to bring that “torch” to your own backyard, I’ve put together some handy tips on location and care to help your plants thrive.
The Best Spot for Red Hot Pokers
These beauties originally hail from sunny South Africa, so in our neck of the woods, they need a spot that mimics their warm home as closely as possible. To get the best results, keep these factors in mind:
- A spot with full sun is a must.
- Choose a warm location that’s protected from harsh winds.
- They love humus-rich soil that is sandy-loam or clay-based, provided it has excellent drainage.
- A slightly limey (alkaline) soil is ideal.
By the way: If your Red Hot Poker isn’t blooming or only has tiny flowers, it’s usually a sign that it’s not happy with its current location.
Care Tips for Healthy Plants & Vibrant Blooms
One of the reasons I love Red Hot Pokers is that they’re surprisingly low-maintenance. They are a welcome guest in any garden, and keeping them happy really boils down to just a few simple steps:
- Don’t be stingy with the water during the hot summer months.
- Never water from above; always aim your hose directly at the roots to keep the foliage dry.
- Make sure the soil drains well—they hate “wet feet” (standing water).
- Feed your plants regularly between May and August using compost or organic fertilizers like horn meal.
- If you’re growing them in containers, give them a dose of liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
While the plant is in its blooming season, you should regularly snip off the faded flower spikes. This encourages the plant to keep pushing out new blooms. However, leave the foliage alone until spring! The leaves help protect the plant during the cold months. Once you’ve successfully overwintered your Torch Lily, you can cut the leaves back close to the ground in early spring.
Common Question: Are Red Hot Pokers Poisonous?
Because of those bright scarlet flowers—a color that often screams “danger” in the wild—many people worry that Red Hot Pokers might be toxic. I have good news for parents and pet owners: this South African native is not poisonous to humans or animals.
You can plant them within reach of kids and pets without a second thought. The only thing to watch out for are the tiny seeds. You should store those somewhere safe, not because they are toxic, but simply because they are small enough to be a choking hazard.
