Many hobby gardeners complain that their torch lily simply doesn't produce flowers. Torch lilies rarely bloom in the first year after planting. If the perennial does not produce flowers in the following years, there can be various reasons.
Why isn't my torch lily blooming?
If a torch lily does not bloom, this may be due to a location that is too dark, a lack of water or waterlogging, a lack of nutrients, especially phosphorus and potash, or planting it too early in the fall. However, a lack of flowers in the first year is normal.
First flowering after acclimatization period
The torch lily develops one leaf after another. But flowers don't appear. This is not unusual in the first year after planting.
Only when the perennial has settled in properly will it produce its first flowers. This is usually the case from the second year, sometimes only from the third year.
Always plant torch lilies in spring. Perennials planted in fall do not have enough time to settle into their location. They will later need longer to gather strength to form flowers.
Is the location correct?
The torch lily needs a favorable location, preferably in full sun. If the perennial is too dark, it will only develop a few flowers, if any at all.
Never keep torch lilies too moist
Torch lilies tolerate short dry periods. Waterlogging, on the other hand, doesn't affect them at all. Too much moisture can cause the roots to rot. Make sure the soil is neither too dry nor too moist.
Are important nutrients missing from the soil?
Even if the rocket flowers are quite undemanding, they still need some nutrients. If the perennial develops many leaves but no flowers, there may be a lack of phosphorus and potassium. You should compensate for this with appropriate fertilizer (€8.00 on Amazon).
Tie up leaves in winter
Only very few varieties of torch lily are hardy. Choose hardy varieties like
- “Saffron Bird”
- “Royal Standard”
- “Galpini”
- “Kniphofia porphyrantha”
- “Kniphofia baurii”
- “Kniphofia hirsute”
These perennials cope best with cold ones. Nevertheless, you should ensure winter protection.
In addition, you are not allowed to cut the leaves in autumn. Instead, tie them together at the top. This protects the heart of the perennial from moisture and direct radiation from the winter sun.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to collect seeds from your torch lily, you will need to allow fully bloomed flowers to mature. The formation of seeds takes away a lot of energy from the plant and it produces fewer flowers.