Scarlet River Lily
Hesperantha coccinea · Iridaceae
📷 JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Scarlet river lily is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Common name
- Clivia or Kaffir Lily
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Plant type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Mature height
- 60 cm
- Blooming period
- September to November
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Moderate (temperate to mild climate)
- Origin
- South Africa
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Hesperantha coccinea flowers late (September-November) with small red flowers: plant the bulbs in August-September at 8 cm deep, spaced 15 cm apart, in full sun and well-drained soil.
The common mistake
Planting in spring (classic mistake): late or no flowering because the bulb didn't have its dormant rest period.
The pro's trick
In cold climates (-5°C), plant in groups of 50+ bulbs to create a colorful mass: they naturalize slowly and multiply.
Care
Light exposure
Place your Kaffir Lily in full sun for abundant and colorful blooming. It tolerates partial shade but will flower less profusely. Avoid dense shade, which slows growth and reduces flower production.
Watering
Keep the soil moist during the growing season and flowering, without waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter, a period of relative rest. Let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings.
Soil
Choose well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Adding compost in spring promotes flowering. Avoid waterlogging, which causes rot in bulbs and rhizomes.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring, then switch to a potassium-rich formula in late summer to support blooming. Fertilizer for bulbs or flowering plants works perfectly.
Pruning and cleanup
Remove spent flowers to extend the blooming period. In late autumn or early winter, cut back dead foliage to ground level. No structural pruning is necessary.
Diseases and pests
Watch for rhizome rot if humidity is excessive; ensure good drainage. Aphids and thrips may occasionally attack the flowers; good air circulation prevents these issues.
Did you know?
The Kaffir Lily takes its name from its region of origin, South Africa, where the Xhosa people called it 'ikhithi'. Its bright red flowers open in late afternoon, guided by a subtle sweet fragrance that attracts pollinating insects at dusk.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.