Fire Lily Plants: How to Grow and Care for Gloriosa Lilies

The fire lily (Gloriosa superba), from the family Colchicaceae, is an herbaceous, deciduous perennial plant with vivid flowers that resemble flames. Its appealing flowers range in color from yellow-orange to deep red and pink, and they are cultivated throughout the world for their vibrant beauty. Other common names for the fire lily are flame lily, gloriosa lily, glory lily, superb lily, climbing lily, and creeping lily.

The fire lily is a wildflower native to the tropics of Asia and Africa, and it is the national flower of Zimbabwe. This plant has been naturalized in Australia and some Pacific Islands, and botanists and gardeners cultivate fire lilies globally.

The fire lily is not a true lily because it does not grow from a bulb. The G. superba is often confused with other vibrant plants known as fire lilies, including the dobo lily (Cyrtanthus brachyscyphus) and the kaffir lily (Clivia miniata).

Fire lilies contain the alkaloid colchicine, a toxic substance. In particular, the tuberous rhizomes have high levels of the substance. Keep fire lily plants away from pets and children to prevent consumption.

There are several cultivars of G. superba that vary in size and flower color. Commonly found types of fire lilies include:

1. 1. 'Citrina': This type of fire lily features two-tone flowers, yellow with stripes of deep maroon.
2. 2. 'Grandiflora': Gardeners prize this fire lily cultivar for its large, bright-yellow flowers.
3. 3. 'Lutea': This variety of fire lily has bright yellow flowers.
4. 4. 'Nana': This type of fire lily is a dwarf, so it will grow to be considerably smaller than other cultivars.
5. 5. 'Simplex': This variety has yellow to orange flowers and can grow up to six feet tall.

Fire lilies can be grown as perennials in warmer climates, such as USDA hardiness zones eight through twelve. In cooler climates, these garden plants can be grown as annuals in the warm summer months. Follow these steps to grow fire lilies:

1. 1. Plant tubers in well-draining soil. It is common to propagate fire lilies from tubers. Place the tubers in two to four inches of well-draining, rich soil. You can plant the tubers directly in the ground or keep them in pots in warmer climates to prevent invasive spreading.
2. 2. Place the plants in direct sunlight. Fire lilies grow best in full sun to partial shade. In the hottest months, some amount of mottled shade can prevent them from being burned in the hot sun.
3. 3. Keep the soil moist. Keep your fire lily well-watered, but ensure the ground isn’t soggy. The plant will require consistent watering from spring to fall during the growing season, unless outdoors in regular rainfall.
4. 4. Apply fertilizer. When the plant bears new leaves, you can apply fertilizer monthly to encourage more prominent blooms.

Fire lilies can be a great addition to your home garden and even make beautiful and exotic houseplants. Read on to learn how best to care for these visually appealing plants:

1. 1. Insert a trellis in your garden. For climbing varieties of fire lilies, add a trellis to your garden or provide some other structure for the fire lily to grow on. This will help the plant flourish.
2. 2. Mist indoor fire lilies with water. Gloriosa lilies grow best in warm daytime temperatures in the low to mid-seventies and cool nighttime temperatures of around sixty to sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit. The more humidity, the better—too dry air can stress the plant. For indoor growing, regular misting can help give the plant the moisture it needs.
3. 3. Overwinter your fire lily plants. If you live in a cold environment, dig up the tuberous roots and store them in a dry, cool environment for the winter. Simply bring the tubers inside, pot and all, to protect the rhizomes. Allow them to go dormant and gradually reduce their water to preserve them until the spring months return.

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