Red Hot Poker Care
Kniphofia uvaria
A drought-tolerant perennial with showy, torch-like flower spikes. Full sun and very well-drained soil that does not hold water, especially in winter, are vital; its roots rot easily in wet soil.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Pests & diseases: Root (crown) rot is the biggest risk; make sure water does not collect in the center of the plant. Frost protection is not needed.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
- Pruning: Clear out old, brown leaves left over from winter to make room for new growth.
- General care: Clear weeds.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, 7-10 L/m² every 2 weeks.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
- General care: New shoots emerge. A good time for propagation by division.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- Plant protection: Check the new leaves for aphids.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk. Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy soil that holds water, plant it on a raised mound or berm 20-30 cm high so that the root collar stays above the surrounding soil level.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Flowering begins.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Plant protection: Check the flowers for thrips.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
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