About Red Hot Pokers
Red hot pokers are unique flowers known for their bottlebrush-shaped blooms of red, orange and yellow. Individual spikes of brightly colored flowers rise up from grass-like leaves, looking similar to a torch. These flowers are attractive to bees, hummingbirds and several other pollinators.
Red hot pokers are perennials that can be aggressive growers in the right environment. They are even considered invasive in parts of California and Oregon, but Ohio’s climate keeps them well-behaved. Plants may grow two to four feet tall, and as much as three feet wide before rhizomes should be divided.
They prefer to grow in areas with full sun and well-drained soil. Blooms will appear in spring and summer, and deadheading older blooms will encourage prolific flowering.
Common Names:
- Red Hot Poker
- Torch Lily
- Torch Flower
- African Flame Flower
- Devil's Poker
Red Hot Poker at the Akron Zoo
Red hot pokers can be found growing throughout our Landon and Cynthia Knight Pride of Africa area.