Flame Lilly (Gloriosa superba) 2L Pot
Gloriosa superba is a climbing tuberous perennial grown for its curled foliage and red and yellow flowers.
Flame Lily produces slender stems with lance-shaped green leaves. The tips of the leaves develop into tendrils that allow the plant to climb through suitable supports.
Mature plants produce flowers with narrow, wavy petals that curve backwards around prominent stamens. Flower colour commonly includes red, scarlet, orange and yellow.
The plant grows actively during warm weather before naturally dying back to an underground tuber during its dormant period.
In the UK, Flame Lily is best grown in a greenhouse, conservatory or warm summer patio position and protected from frost during winter.
Plant Details
Botanical name: Gloriosa superba
Common names: Flame Lily, Glory Lily, Climbing Lily
Plant family: Colchicaceae
Habit: Tuberous climbing perennial
Potential height: Approximately 1.5–2.5 metres with support
Foliage: Lance-shaped green leaves ending in climbing tendrils
Flowers: Reflexed red, orange and yellow flowers
Position: Full sun or bright partial shade
Suitable for: Greenhouses, conservatories, patios and containers
Hardiness: Tender and not frost hardy
Growing Advice
Grow your Flame Lily in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-draining compost. Provide a trellis, cane or other support for the climbing stems.
Keep the compost evenly moist while the plant is actively growing, but avoid waterlogging.
Feed regularly during active growth with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Change to a high-potassium feed once flower buds begin to form.
Place the plant in a warm, bright and sheltered position. Protect the stems from strong winds and rough handling.
As the foliage begins to yellow and die back, gradually reduce watering. Keep the dormant tuber dry and frost free during winter.
Dormant pots should be stored somewhere protected, ideally above approximately 10°C. Resume watering gradually when fresh shoots appear.
Flowering in the UK
Flame Lily can flower successfully in the UK when provided with sufficient warmth, strong light and a long growing season.
Flowering time will depend on the size of the tuber, temperature and stage of growth.
What You Will Receive
You will receive one Flame Lily plant growing in a 2-litre pot. Actively growing plants are typically dispatched at approximately 20–30 cm tall.
Plants may naturally be dormant or beginning to die back at certain times of the year. A dormant plant may be supplied as a healthy tuber within its pot rather than with active top growth.
Important Information
All parts of Gloriosa superba are highly poisonous if eaten, particularly the tubers and seeds.
Wear gloves when handling damaged plant material or repotting the tubers. Wash your hands after contact.
Keep the plant and dormant tubers securely away from children and pets.