How To Grow Torch Lily – The Drought Tolerant Perennial With Stunning Blooms!
Torch lilies, also known as red hot pokers or kniphofias, enhance your garden with their brilliant flowers and drought tolerance. Guide to growing torch lilies:
Torch lilies like full sun to partial shade. Choose a garden spot with at least 6 hours of sunlight. Torch lilies hate wet soil, so make sure it drains.
1. Choose the Right Location
Once frost has passed, plant torch lilies in spring or summer. Fall planting is possible in mild-winter locations.
2. Planting Time
To boost soil fertility and drainage, add compost or aged manure before planting. Keep pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
3. Prepare the Soil
Dig a hole slightly larger than the torch lily root ball. Plant the plant crown at soil level to disperse the roots. Multiple plants should be 18–24 inches apart for airflow.
4. Planting Depth and Spacing
While drought-tolerant once planted, torch lilies need constant watering during establishment. Water deeply after planting and let the soil dry between waterings. Once established, water during droughts.
5. Watering
Layer organic mulch around plant bases to conserve soil moisture, reduce weeds, and regulate soil temperature. To avoid rot, mulch away from the plant's crown.
6. Mulching
Torch lilies are light feeders, but a balanced spring fertilizer can boost growth and blooms. The fertilizer packet specifies application rates.
7. Fertilizing
After blooming, remove wasted flower spikes to promote fresh growth. Use clean, sharp pruners to cut flower stalks to the plant root.