Gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana')
Achieve spectacular summer color with the Gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana'), a tropical vine featuring fiery red and yellow blooms.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ is a magnificent tropical vine prized by gardeners for its striking, reflexed flowers that appear during the height of summer. Known commonly as the Gloriosa lily, this spectacular climber produces segments of brilliant ruby red fading to yellow, creating a dramatic, fiery display unlike any other lily relative. It is a vigorous grower, quickly scaling supports using delicate tendrils at its leaf tips, making it an ideal vertical accent.
As a summer standout, the Gloriosa lily brings vertical interest and intense color to patios, trellises, and containers from mid-summer until the first frost. Although it is botanically grown as an annual in most temperate regions, managing its tuberous roots allows for overwintering indoors where necessary. Gardeners aiming for this exotic look must provide consistent warmth, meaning planting should only occur after all danger of frost has passed.
Despite its dramatic appearance, the cultivation of Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ requires medium maintenance and careful attention, particularly regarding soil drainage and temperature moderation. Successfully growing this vine rewards the patient gardener with blooms reaching up to five inches wide. Remember that all parts of the Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ are poisonous, requiring responsible placement away from children and pets.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Colchicaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 5-6 ft
- Spread: 1-3 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: Bright red edged with yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Gloriosa lily tubers horizontally 2 to 4 inches deep, spacing them 8 to 12 inches apart in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. The soil should be organically rich, well-drained, and consistently hold medium moisture levels. Wait until after the last frost date for planting outdoors, or for an earlier bloom, start the tubers indoors in late winter and transplant them outside once warmth is assured. Siting the Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ where it receives afternoon shade is often beneficial, especially in very hot climates.
Watering should be consistent during the active growing season to maintain medium moisture, though the soil must never become waterlogged due to the susceptibility of the tubers to rot. Support is crucial, as this vine quickly climbs, utilizing the small tendrils at the leaf tips to secure itself to trellises or vertical structures. Feed lightly throughout the summer when actively growing.
As autumn approaches and frost threatens, the Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ will naturally die back. Since the tubers are brittle, careful lifting is required if you are harvesting them for storage. If you prefer an easier approach, plant the tubers directly into containers; sink the rimmed pot into the garden during summer, and then lift the entire pot and move it to a frost-free location indoors for dry overwintering.
Landscape Uses
The vigorous climbing habit of the Gloriosa lily makes it an outstanding specimen for vertical accents in the landscape. It excels when given a trellis, obelisk, or strong support structure, allowing its fiery blooms to cascade or sweep upward. Their use as an annual provides reliable, high-impact color that can anchor a summer border or provide screening on a patio.
For container gardening, which many growers prefer for easier winter management, the Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ is highly recommended. Grouping the potted Gloriosa lily with trailing annuals that have similar sun and water needs, such as sweet potato vine or calibrachoa, creates a dynamic, multi-textured display on hardscape areas. This method allows you to control soil conditions precisely and easily transition the plant indoors before cold weather arrives.
When situated near seating areas, the slightly exotic look of the flame lily, enhanced by its long, elaborate stamens, draws the eye. While the foliage itself is interesting, the primary garden design goal when using Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ is to maximize the view of its spectacular, orchid-like flowers against a simple backdrop.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Gloriosa superba, commonly called gloriosa lily or climbing lily, is a tropical vine which grows to 6’. It climbs quickly by tendrils formed at the leaf tips, showcasing lily-like flowers with six showy, petal-like segments of bright red edged with bright yellow. The flowers are large, up to 5 inches wide, featuring wavy-edged petals and dramatic, spreading green stamens and pistils.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Generally, the Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ exhibits no serious insect or disease problems, which is a benefit for this otherwise demanding tropical vine. However, successful cultivation often hinges on environmental control. These plants perform best when daytime temperatures are kept in the 70s and nighttime temperatures remain cool in the 60s.
In regions outside of tropical zones, or during extreme summer heat waves, the plant may struggle to perform optimally. Providing some afternoon shade can mitigate heat stress, helping the plant maintain the preferred moderate temperature range necessary for robust blooming throughout the July to September season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Gloriosa lily suitable for?
The Gloriosa lily, or Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’, is hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, though it is frequently treated as an annual outside this range.
How large does Gloriosa lily grow?
This climbing vine typically reaches a height between 5 and 6 feet, with a modest spread of 1 to 3 feet, requiring vertical support to achieve its full stature.
What sun exposure does Gloriosa lily need?
Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ thrives best when positioned in full sun to part shade, with afternoon shade often being beneficial in hotter climates.
When does Gloriosa lily bloom?
The exquisite blooms of the Gloriosa lily appear from July through September, distinguishing themselves with a vibrant color scheme noted as bright red edged with yellow.
Conclusion
The inclusion of the Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ offers the enthusiastic gardener a touch of the exotic with its uniquely structured, fiery blooms. As a relatively high-maintenance but incredibly rewarding specimen, the Gloriosa lily demands attention to temperature and support throughout the growing season. Before planting your tubers, always verify your local USDA hardiness zone and plan for appropriate overwintering or annual replacement.
Companion Planting
When planning the surroundings for your Gloriosa lily, select companions that share its need for consistent moisture and well-drained soil, while appreciating similar sun exposure. Plants that do not compete aggressively for root space but offer grounding foliage at the base of the trellis are ideal. Consider using upright, structural annuals like dahlias or tall geraniums to frame the area where the Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ will climb.
If you are growing the Gloriosa lily in a container arrangement, integrating low-growing, heat-tolerant creepers can help shade the soil around the tuber, keeping its root zone slightly cooler. Petunias or creeping zinnias planted around the edge of the pot will provide contrast to the dramatic spires of the climbing lily without overwhelming its delicate climbing structure.
Container Growing Logistics
Growing Gloriosa superba ‘Rothschildiana’ in pots simplifies the mandatory overwintering process significantly in cold climates. Use a container large enough to allow for the 8-12 inch spacing around the tuber and ensure it has excellent drainage. As the plant is a vigorous climber, placing the pot directly next to a sturdy support structure, like a small circular trellis or cage, is essential even before the vine begins to grow rapidly.
Proper dormancy management is key for success with this bulb. Once blooms fade in the fall, gradually reduce watering to cue the plant to rest. After the first light frost cuts back the foliage, carefully remove the container from the ground (if sunk) and store it dry in a frost-free location, such as a basement or cool garage, until spring planting time returns.
