Xeronema callistemon typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.
poor knights lily
Xeronema callistemon
Poor Knights Lily is an unusual species of flowering plant native to the Poor Knights Islands of New Zealand. It has a single, unbranched stalk, which can grow up to one meter in height. The top is crowned with a peculiar lime green plume with ruby-red leaves and large clusters of deep purple flowers. Its striking feature is the lack of leaves or stems and instead the single flowering stalk grows directly out of the ground. Its flowers are scented throughout the day and have a fragrant smell, making it an attractive addition to any garden. As the Poor Knights Lily is rare, it can be hard to come by, however its effortless beauty and unique features make it a must-have for avid gardeners.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Cutting,Division,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
10 - 11
Flowers:
Red Flowers In Spring
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
High
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Poor Knights Lily should be watered about once a week during the growing season (spring to autumn). It is best to water the plant early in the morning. This will give the plant plenty of time for the leaves to dry off before nightfall, which helps to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. It removes water droplets that promote fungal diseases. Water thoroughly, once a week. Allow the soil to dry out before re-watering, to a depth of about 5cm. In winter, it should be watered less frequently, allowing the soil to almost dry out between waterings.
sunlight
Poor Knights Lily (Xeronema callistemon) requires full sun or partial shade for optimal growth. It thrives in bright, direct sunlight for at least 4 to 6 hours per day. In areas with strong sunshine, provide some shade in the afternoon during summer months to protect the plant from excessive heat and sunburn. A location in full sun is best for the first part of the day until the sun is at its hottest, and then filtered shade is ideal for the rest of the day. It’s important to provide ample sunlight for this species throughout the growing season, in order to successfully encourage blooming.
pruning
Poor Knights Lily (Xeronema callistemon) should be lightly trimmed once a year in Spring. Pruning should be done by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged foliage and seed heads. Prune the plant lightly, taking care to not remove too much foliage. Trim off old, spent flower stalks after blooming to encourage the production of new flower buds. Remove only a few of the main leaves from each stem to maintain the shape of the plant and promote new stems for blooms. This species should not be heavily pruned as it may reduce flowering.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Starts Flowering
Xeronema callistemon typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.
