# Torch Lily (*Kniphofia uvaria (L.) Oken*)

Torch Lily has tall spikes of colorful flowers that look like they are on fire! They are great for attracting birds and butterflies to your garden.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Sunny gardens and wildflower areas
- **Also known as:** Kniphofia

![Torch Lily](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426582/objects/4991.jpg)

## Appearance

The Torch Lily has striking, upright flower spikes that look like flaming torches. Its tubular flowers are packed tightly, typically transitioning from fiery red or orange at the top to bright yellow or cream at the bottom. Long, slender, grass-like leaves form a clump at its base.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Family:** Xanthorrhoeaceae
- **Genus:** Kniphofia

## Interesting facts

- Hummingbirds absolutely love these plants, darting between the fiery blooms for nectar!
- Its flower spikes often change color as they open, getting brighter as they mature!
- Some types of Torch Lilies can even bloom in winter, adding color to cold gardens!
- The 'torch' flowers point upward when young, then often droop downwards when fully open!

## Special abilities

- **Nectar Beacon:** Torch Lily has vibrant, nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees, ensuring efficient pollination and reproduction.
- **Water Cache:** Torch Lily can store water in its fleshy, tuberous roots, helping it survive long periods of drought and heat.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 60-150 cm
- **Spread:** 60-90 cm
- **Flower Size:** 15-30 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer to early Fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Bird

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** [Ruby-throated Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruby-throated-hummingbird) (*Archilochus colubris*) — Sips nectar while pollinating flowers.
- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from the blooms.
- **Pollinates:** Greater Double-collared Sunbird (*Nectarinia afra*) — Key pollinator in its native Southern African habitat.
- **Pollinates:** Citrus Swallowtail (*Papilio demodocus*) — Visits flowers for nectar in its native range.

## Traits

- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Torch Lily?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Torch Lily?

60-150 cm

### How wide does Torch Lily spread?

60-90 cm

### How big are the flowers on Torch Lily?

15-30 cm

### When does Torch Lily bloom?

Summer to early Fall

### Is Torch Lily edible?

No

### Is Torch Lily toxic?

Mild

### What is Torch Lily's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Torch Lily: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/torch-lily)