red-hot poker

Red-hot poker (Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red') should be watered on a regular basis and kept moist, not soggy. Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feels dry to the touch. The soil should also be moistened evenly throughout the pot or planting hole. Red-hot poker requires an average amount of water, so water it about once or twice a week during the growing season and a bit less frequently in the winter. Reduce or withhold watering in times of very cold weather.

Red-hot poker (Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red') is a sun-loving plant species and does best when given direct sunlight in the morning and afternoon hours throughout the growing season. The plant requires at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive. Additionally, good air circulation and light shade during the hottest parts of the day is necessary in order to prevent the plant from wilting. During the winter months, when the sun is weaker, the plant should receive at least 4 hours of sunlight per day in order to maintain healthy growth.

Red-hot poker (Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red') should be pruned back in late spring or summer, after bloom. The amount that should be pruned depends on the size desired. For smaller plants, trim back the foliage by 1/3, and for larger plants remove up to 1/2 of the foliage. If desired, the foliage can also be lightly thinned and touched up with pruning sheers. After pruning the foliage, the spent flowers can be removed and the flower stalks cut back to a rosette of leaves, leaving about 8 inches of stem. Do not remove the flower buds which will come up the following season.