Red hot poker (Kniphofia acraea)
Care, watering, light and tips for Red hot poker on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Asphodelaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Red hot poker
Kniphofia acraea, commonly known as Highlands Poker, is a striking perennial native to South Africa, prized for its dense, upright flower spikes of bright orange-red that open from the bottom up. Its leaves are narrow and grass-like, forming a tidy basal clump. It's ideal for adding an exotic, vertical touch to sunny borders, rock gardens, or as a focal point in flower beds.
Native range
South Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal flowering and prefers well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. Watering should be regular during the growing season but reduced in winter to prevent waterlogging. A common mistake is planting it in partial shade or heavy, poorly drained soils, which can lead to sparse flowering and root rot. Protect from extreme cold in non-native climates.
How to save a dying Red hot poker
- Warning signs
- Soft, yellowing or browning leaves from the base; poor or no flowering. Soft, dark roots.
- First aid
- Drastically reduce watering. Check drainage. If severe, unearth, prune rotten roots, and repot in dry, well-draining soil.
- What kills it
- Overwatering, especially in winter or heavy soils. It cannot tolerate waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act fast. It's robust, but excess water is its biggest enemy.