The red hot poker plant (Tritoma, Flame Flower, or Torch Lily) is a stunning addition to any garden and attracts pollinators including hummingbirds, bees, and orioles. Its drought tolerance makes it perfect for xeriscaping. Gardeners love this vivid southern and tropical African perennial.
Red hot poker flowers were brought to Europe in the 17th century from South African, Swaziland, and Lesotho grasslands and rocky slopes, then to New Zealand and North America.
This vibrant color spectrum may make your garden stand out among other plants. The stately, long, thin flower spikes stand out above the foliage.
Red hot poker flowers help local ecosystems beyond their beauty. They draw hummingbirds to your garden with their rich nectar. The tubular blossoms make sweet nectar accessible for hummingbirds to access.
Choose a sunny spot in your garden or yard to grow red hot poker flowers. These plants love sunlight and rich, well-draining soil. In spring or fall, plant them with enough space to mature.
To prevent leaf spots, water deeply but sparingly at the base and let the soil dry up before watering again. Red hot poker plants are tough and light feeders, but you can treat them in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer for good growth and flowering.
To keep flower spikes blooming and prevent self-seeding, prune or deadhead them. Also remove yellowing or damaged leaves.
Red hot poker flowers are pest-resistant, but watch for thrips, aphids, slugs, and snails and take action. These simple methods will create a vibrant red hot poker display in your garden that attracts hummingbirds.