Glory lily.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Tuberous perennial climber

Light

Full sun to partial shade, with some afternoon shade in hot climates

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 5 to 10 days

Mature size

6 to 8 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Provide a sturdy trellis for the vines to climb as they grow. Watch for yellowing leaves which can signal overwatering or poor drainage. Keep the plant in a warm spot and ensure it gets plenty of humidity during the growing season.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy during the active growing season.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks while the plant is actively growing.

Pruning

Cut back the stems once the foliage begins to yellow and die down after flowering.

Repotting

Repot the tubers in fresh soil each spring just as they begin to break dormancy.

Soil

Well draining, rich potting mix

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

15 to 30°C

Humidity

60 to 80%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant contains colchicine, which is extremely poisonous to humans and pets if consumed.

Pets

This plant is highly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep this plant well away from children as the tubers and foliage are deadly if eaten.

Contact allergens

Handling the tubers may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable airborne allergy risks associated with this plant.

Edibility

All parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested and can cause severe illness.

How to identify it

• Wavy, reflexed petals like flames
• Bright red and yellow coloration
• Tendrils at leaf tips for climbing
• Lance shaped green foliage
• Tuberous root system

Height

1.5 to 2.5m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

red, yellow, 8 to 12cm

Fruit

green, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Tuber RotCommon
• Spider MitesUncommon
• ThripsUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed

When to plant

Spring

Overwintering

In cooler climates, lift the tubers after the first frost. Store them in dry peat or sand in a frost free location until spring.

In containers

It grows well in containers at least 30 centimeters deep, provided they have excellent drainage.

Plant near a sturdy trellis or fence to allow the tendrils to climb safely.

Grows well with

• Clematis · They share similar climbing habits and light requirements.
• Lantana · They provide a vibrant, tropical color contrast in the garden.

Similar species

• Climbing Lily · It shares the same family and similar growth habits.

Science

Family

Colchicaceae

Genus

Gloriosa

Order

Liliales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Tropical Africa and Asia

Conservation

It is considered invasive in some parts of Australia and should be managed carefully in the wild.

It thrives in forest edges and thickets where it can climb into sunlight.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

butterflies

Uses

ornamental climber, cut flower

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it is a climbing vine that requires a support structure to grow vertically.

How do I store the tubers?

Dig them up after the foliage dies back and store them in a cool, dry place over winter.

Where the name comes from

The name Gloriosa comes from the Latin word for glorious, referring to the spectacular flowers, while superba means superb.

Good to know

• It is the national flower of Zimbabwe.
• The flowers change color from green to yellow and finally red as they mature.
• It is also known as the flame lily due to its fiery appearance.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs