Red Hot Poker
Kniphofia, the red hot poker, forms dense, torch-like spikes of tubular florets that blaze from fiery red through orange to yellow, often on a single ombre stem. Florists use it as a bold, architectural line flower that injects heat, height and tropical drama into summer and installation designs. Its sculptural form and vivid gradient make it an instant focal accent in large-scale work. Long, sturdy stems and striking colour give it real presence in modern and tropical arrangements.
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | South Africa |
| Peak season | July, August |
| Availability | June, July, August, September |
| Stem length | 50–100 cm |
| Vase life | 7–10 days |
| Colors | red, orange, yellow, coral, bicolor |
| Price tier | mid |
Cut stems on an angle and condition in deep, cool water with flower food; the hollow, sturdy stems drink well and hold up in warm rooms. Strip lower foliage below the waterline and remove any browning florets from the base of the spike. Keep them upright while conditioning so the heavy heads stay straight, and refresh the water regularly.
- •Cut stems at an angle
- •Condition in deep, cool water with flower food
- •Strip foliage below the waterline
- •Remove browning florets from the base
- •Keep upright while conditioning
- •Refresh water regularly
2 named red hot poker cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.
Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Botanical reference
- Common name
- Bishop's Torch
- Also known as
- torch lily, red-hot poker, tritoma, Aletris uvaria, Aloe longifolia, Aloe rigida, Aloe uvaria, Kniphofia alooides, Kniphofia bachmannii, Kniphofia burchellii, Kniphofia occidentalis, Kniphofia odorata
- Distribution
- Cape Provinces, Jardín Botánico de Bogotá, Manizales, North America
Open-data sources: GBIF, Wikidata (CC0/CC BY)
Frequently asked questions
When is Red Hot Poker in season?
Red Hot Poker peaks in July, August, and florists can usually source it June, July, August, September. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Red Hot Poker last in a vase?
Expect 7–10 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Red Hot Poker?
Good substitutes for Red Hot Poker include Gladiolus, Liatris, Kangaroo Paw, Bird of paradise. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Red Hot Poker symbolise?
Red Hot Poker is associated with boldness, passion, energy.
How do you care for cut Red Hot Poker?
Cut stems at an angle
Related flowers
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Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — “Red Hot Poker”. https://lacybird.com/flowers/kniphofia/<a href="https://lacybird.com/flowers/kniphofia/">Lacy Bird Flower Encyclopedia — Red Hot Poker</a>