Red-hot poker care: pruning, fertilising & more
Red-hot poker plants are tall, bright plants that make great focal points in your garden. Find out all about how to care for these bee-friendly perennials to make Kniphofia really glow in your garden.
Red-hot pokers (Kniphofia) are quite low-maintenance plants that rarely need pruning. That said, if you really want to get the most out of these stunning flowers, you will need to bear a few things in mind. For instance, in winter, you will need to tie the leaves together. As with all plants, avoid over-fertilising. In terms of watering, avoid waterlogging, but never let the plant dry out completely. These plants do not tolerate wind well, as it causes their flowers to stick together and can lead to the plant drying out. Read on for more information in our Kniphofia care guide.
Contents
Pruning red-hot pokers
Red-hot poker plants only need pruning in the spring. Remove old leaves and flowerheads and cut back the plant to about a hand’s width above the ground. Always use clean and sharp tools when cutting to avoid cross-contamination.
Watering
Red-hot pokers do not tolerate waterlogging, especially after flowering. That said, never let it dry out completely either. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering and, ideally, water in the mornings or evenings.
Fertilising
Red-hot poker plants have different nutrient requirements depending on where they are planted.
Fertilising red-hot poker plants in the bed
Kniphofia plant requires a moderate amount of nutrients. Therefore, we recommend applying some compost or slow-release fertiliser in the spring before flowering. Our Plantura Flower Food is ideal for this. With its high potassium content, our fertiliser supports adequate water absorption and transmission, which is essential in a sunny location. Furthermore, this helps the plant to strengthen its tissue, allowing it to better survive the cold winter. Potassium is also important for flower development. Our fertiliser also contains nitrogen, phosphorus and trace elements that support healthy growth.
Fertilising potted red-hot poker plants
Potted red-hot poker plants need fertilising more often. Fertilise every 3 months from April to October. To do this, push the mulch layer aside and apply a special fertiliser for flowering plants, like our Plantura Flower Food, underneath. Then water well. Avoid working the fertiliser into the deeper layers of soil with your fingers or a fork, as doing so risks damaging the roots. Afterwards, sprinkle the mulch over again.
- Perfect for flowering plants in the garden & on the balcony
- For healthier plants with beautiful & long-lasting blossoms
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly
Why is my red-hot poker not blooming?
Here are some possible causes as to why your plant is not flowering and how to remedy them:
- Too young: it is common for red-hot pokers not to develop flowers in the first year after planting. Plants grown from seed may take as long as 3 years to bloom for the first time.
- Nutrient deficiency: if a mature, established red-hot poker is not flowering, it may be nutrient deficient. Insufficient phosphorus and potassium can prevent flowers from developing. If this is the case, applying a suitable fertiliser should solve the problem.
- Unsuitable location: likewise, if your red-hot poker is somewhere too cold, shady or wet, it will not bloom. In this case, transplanting the plant elsewhere can help.
Transplanting red-hot pokers
Sometimes it is necessary to transplant your red-hot poker if the current location proves unsuitable. Generally speaking, these plants do not like being moved, but if you do need to transplant your red-hot poker, wait until spring to do so. This is also the perfect opportunity to propagate your red-hot poker plants by division. You can read more about propagating red-hot pokers in our main article on these plants. When transplanting, take care not to injure the rhizomes.
Summary – Red-hot poker care
- Fertilise bed plants once in April
- When grown in a pot, fertilise every 3 months from April to October
- Water sufficiently, but avoid waterlogging and never let the soil dry out completely
- Avoid transplanting unless absolutely necessary
- Prune old leaves in the spring
Aside from being beautiful, colourful additions to our flower beds, red-hot pokers are great for the pollinators that visit our gardens. If you are interested in offering bees and other pollinators even more choice in your garden, see our article on bee-friendly perennials.
