River lily (Hesperantha coccinea)
Care, watering, light and tips for River lily on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Iridaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 4 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About River lily
Hesperantha coccinea, commonly known as Crimson Flag Lily or Kaffir Lily, is a rhizomatous perennial plant native to South Africa. Its slender flower spikes, emerging in late summer and autumn, feature vibrant star-shaped flowers predominantly in scarlet red, pink, or white. It is ideal for garden borders, containers, and as a cut flower, adding an intense splash of color when many other plants begin to fade.
Native range
South Africa
Care tips
It requires a location in full sun or light partial shade for optimal flowering. Watering should be regular during the growing and flowering season, keeping the substrate moist but well-drained; reduce watering in winter. It prefers rich, organically fertile, moist but well-drained soils. A common mistake is planting it in heavy, waterlogged soils, which can lead to rhizome rot.
How to save a dying River lily
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or browning leaves, sparse or no flowering, soft or rotting stems at the base.
- First aid
- Remove dead flowers and leaves. Check drainage and soil moisture. If rotting, unearth the corm and remove affected parts.
- What kills it
- Overwatering, especially in heavy or poorly drained soils, leading to corm rot.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if rot is not too advanced and excess moisture is corrected. Recovery can be slow.