Growing guide · Perennials

Kniphofia

How to grow Red Hot Poker 'Redhot Popsicle'.

Hummingbirds treat it like a drive-thru.

Light
Full sun
Water
Low
Zones
6–9
Size
16–24 in. tall, 12–18 in. wide
Spacing
12–18 in. apart, in groups of three or more.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $32.99
Compact red hot poker with upright spikes of tubular cinnamon-red flowers over grassy leaves

Light

Full sun.

Water

Water weekly the first summer. Established plants are drought tolerant.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring in well-drained soil, crown at soil level. Raise it in clay.

Feeding

A light feed in spring.

Pruning

Cut spent flower stalks at the base. Tie the leaves up over the crown for winter; tidy them in spring.

Through the year

Leaves in spring, flowers June through August.

If something's off

Crown rot in wet soil is the usual loss. Marginal in zone 6 in exposed, wet sites.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Salvia 'May Night'
Salvia × sylvestrisSalvia 'May Night' from $29.99
Switch Grass 'Cheyenne Sky'
Panicum virgatumSwitch Grass 'Cheyenne Sky' from $61.99
Lavender 'Provence'
Lavandula × intermediaLavender 'Provence' from $31.99

Why we stock it: Bold, hummingbird-friendly color in a size that fits small beds and pots.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

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