Is Fire Dance Red Hot Poker a Perennial?

Red Hot Poker, or fire lily (Kniphofia uvaria), is a perennial flowering plant in the family Asphodelaceae, first described as a genus by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. It is native to Africa, and commonly found in the South African provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and the North West.

The inflorescence bears erect, cone-shaped flowers with protruding stamens that are red at the tips and yellow in the middle. The flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects.

Red Hot Poker is a member of the Asphodelaceae family, which includes about 2250 species of flowering plants in Africa and Madagascar. The family has a long history, with evidence of its existence dating back to the early Cretaceous period.

The name “Asphodelaceae” comes from the Greek word asphodelos, meaning “burnt-out torch”, referring to the shape of the inflorescence.

Red Hot Poker is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It typically blooms in late summer or early fall. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soils and can grow in sun or shade.

PRO TIP:Fire Dance Red Hot Poker is an ornamental grass that is a perennial in warm climates, but may die back in cooler climates. In cooler areas, it can be treated as an annual and replanted each spring.

It is not particular about soil pH and will even grow in poor quality soils. Once established, Red Hot Poker is drought tolerant.

The plant spreads via underground rhizomes and will form clumps over time. If left unchecked, it can become invasive.

To prevent this, gardeners can dig up and divide the clumps every few years. Red Hot Poker is best propagated by division in spring or fall.

Red Hot Poker is an attractive addition to any garden, providing color and interest from summer to fall. The bold flowers are perfect for cutting and make excellent dried arrangements.

The plant is also deer resistant and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.