Gloriosa superba

RHS Plant Profile
glory lily

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Other common names

climbing lily, creeping lily, glory flower, Malabar glory lily, flame lily

Synonyms

Gloriosa plantii

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Climber Wall Shrub
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A climbing tuberous perennial to 2m, with lance-shaped bright green leaves tipped with tendrils. Flowers 10cm across, with reflexed, wavy-edged scarlet or yellow petals, and prominent stamens

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Colchicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Gloriosa are climbing, tuberous-rooted perennials with tendril-tipped leaves and showy, lily-like flowers with reflexed, undulate tepals and long protruding stamens
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Tropical Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant tubers 7-10cm (3-4in) deep in early spring in peat-free, John Innes No 2 compost with added grit in full light. Water freely once in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every two weeks. Keep tubers dry in winter and pot on in late winter if tubers are very congested

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19-24°C (66-75°F), or propagate by division by separate the finger-like tubers in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Cut down top growth as it dies back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free