La crocosmia lucifer It is a bulbous plant that is not very well known, but is unforgettable once you have seen it. Because it manages to capture attention thanks to its striking red flowers, which have managed to make it a highly desired variety in ornamental gardening.
One of its added advantages is that it is a resistant plant and is easy to care for. Despite its delicate appearance, it can survive even those people who don't seem to have much of a green thumb.
What is crocosmia lucifer like?
From South Africa, is a very interesting addition for all types of gardens, because its colorful flowers They attract pollinators such as bees and las mariposas.
Of course, if you are going to put it in your garden, control its growth and expansion, because can be invasive thanks to its propagation system through underground rhizomes. If this may be a problem in your case, it is better to grow it in a pot.
Of course, if you are going to put it in your garden, control its growth and expansion, because can be invasive thanks to its propagation system through underground rhizomes. If this may be a problem in your case, it is better to grow it in a pot.
- Foliage: It has basal-type foliage that grows at the base of the plant. Its leaves are characterized by being lanceolate and narrow, with a fairly intense green color.
- Flowers: Without a doubt, they are the most striking of this species. They have a bright red color and remind us of bells or trumpets. They are arranged in clusters or vertical spikes that stand out above the leaves. It is a plant that likes warm climates, and its flowering usually extends from summer to the first weeks of autumn.
- Height: This is a perennial plant that can reach between 90 and 120 centimeters, and that always grows erect upwards.
- Spread: If you have a crocosmia lucifer you can reproduce it through seeds. If you're looking for something quicker, dig a little and separate some of its underground rhizomes and you'll have a new plant in less time than you imagine.
Crocosmia lucifer care
When we see a plant as beautiful as this one, we tend to mistakenly think that it will be delicate and getting it off the ground will be difficult, but in this case that is not the case. Crocosmia is quite resistant, although you will get it to look much better if you give it the care that we are going to see below.
location and light
She is originally from South Africa so light and sun are not a problem for her. You will notice that your plant grows much better if it is located in a place where it receives direct light between 6 and 8 hours a day. If you cannot find such a place, at least make sure that the area where you plant the plants has partial light.
The crocosmia will grow the same, but its flowering will be more abundant and the red of its flowers will be much more intense the more sun it receives.
ground conditions
This is a plant that likes humidity, but that does not mean you have to abuse water. Its roots cannot be waterlogged, so it needs a substrate that has good drainage capacity.
If your substrate does not drain enough, you can add a little coconut fiber or perlite to make it lighter.
To the extent possible, ensure that the planting medium is slightly acidic or neutral, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Watering crocosmia lucifer
Watering plants is one of the most delicate aspects when it comes to keeping them healthy and beautiful. In this specific case, you have to water regularly during the active growing season, which runs from spring to the end of summer.
It is important that the soil stays evenly moist, but in any case avoiding flooding. Provide little water periodically, which means watering two or three times a week in summer.
During the winter the plant goes into a state of dormancy and, since it will not grow, its water needs decrease greatly. In this case, it will be enough to water once a week or every fifteen days.
Crocosmia Fertilization
A early spring You can apply a fertilizer (better if it is granular and slow release). This will provide your plant with extra nutrients that will make its flowering in summer more abundant.
Try not to overuse fertilization in any case, since if you overdo it you will encourage the growth of foliage and this will be detrimental to flowering.
Plant pruning
In order to encourage continued flowering, you can remove withered flowers without fear. On the other hand, to prevent this plant from becoming invasive in your garden, try to divide the rhizomes every two or three yearss, preferably in spring or autumn.
Protection during winter
Although this is a very resistant plant, it originates from warm climates and does not cope well with the cold. If you keep it outdoors in a place where the winters are harsh, it will most likely not survive.
The best thing in these cases is to provide extra protection. Cover the soil near the plant with a little mulch or straw so that the cold does not penetrate its roots as much and, if necessary, cover the foliage with a little plastic. When spring arrives, before the plant begins to sprout again, remove any parts that you see have turned ugly or have died.
If you give your crocosmia lucifer this care and ensure that it is not affected by aphids or rust, you will have a plant that will beautify your garden or balcony for many years. Furthermore, now you know that you can easily reproduce it, so you can have new plants for your home or even to give as a gift. Did you know this original variety with red flowers? We would like to know your opinion through the comments.