Growing Gloriosa in a pot

Which varieties to grow in pots?

Gloriosa, or Glory Lily, is a tuberous plant in the Liliaceae family. Very vigorous, it can reach a height of 1.5 to 2 metres. Its flame-shaped flowers display fiery or sunny colours, as they can be red, yellow, orange or bicoloured.

Among varieties suitable for pots, you could choose, for example:

• Gloriosa rothschildiana: A rare plant, it is a climbing bulbous climber that produces wavy red flowers with a yellow heart on dark green, glossy, lance-shaped foliage. Its bi-coloured flowers measure 10 cm and appear from June to August. The petals are narrow and recurved backwards. In the centre of the flower, yellow stamens and a prominent pistil emerge. Fast-growing, it climbs to a height of 2 metres. Frost-tender, it needs to be brought indoors before the first frosts.
• Gloriosa bulbea: This climber of 1.5 metres bears unusual yellow flowers with very undulate petals on thick, dark green, glossy foliage. Measuring 8 to 10 cm, the flowers appear from July to September. Another advantage is that the foliage is evergreen. Frost-tender, it should be overwintered indoors in winter like the other Gloriosa. It is grown in full sun in a fertile, cool and well-drained substrate, like its counterparts.
• Gloriosa ‘Carsonii’: A fairly rare variety, this Gloriosa reaches a height of 1.5 metres and offers bi-coloured flowers with contrasting tones, a purple edge bordered with yellow. The petals of this 8 cm flower are erect and undulating. It flowers from July to September and benefits from lush, dark green, glossy and deciduous foliage. It has tendrils to cling to a support and climb. It is an orangery plant that can be grown in a pot, in a cold greenhouse or in a conservatory. It enjoys a sunny exposure, as well as fertile, cool and well-drained substrate.

Gloriosa rothschildiana on the left, Gloriosa lutea yellow and Gloriosa ‘Carsonii’

Where and when to plant?

• Gloriosa should be planted in full sun and in a sheltered position.
• It should be planted in spring, in May, when the risk of frost has passed, if you place it outdoors, or earlier, between March and May, if you keep it indoors, in a bright conservatory or temperate greenhouse.
• All parts of the plant are toxic; take care when handling it and wear gloves.

Gloriosa thrives in full sun in a sheltered position

How to grow a Gloriosa in a pot?

Which container?

• The pot should be wide and deep, with a drainage hole in the bottom for good drainage.
• You may choose the type of pot you prefer: terracotta, plastic or wood. However, terracotta pots promote better aeration of the roots.

What substrate?

Gloriosa grows in a fertile, moist and well-drained substrate. You can use a mixture of garden soil and potting compost, to which you should add sand to ensure drainage.

Planting

• Choose a pot 18 to 20 cm in diameter
• Fill it with a mixture of potting compost and soil, with added sand
• Take the tubercle carefully, as it breaks easily. Place it flat in the middle of the pot. Plant it horizontally and cover with 5 cm of soil. You can also plant two tubercles head-to-head in the same pot for a more generous flowering.
• Firm the soil down and water.
• Place the pot in a sunny or bright spot, but not necessarily in direct sunlight.
• Install a support or trellis on which the plant can cling with its tendrils. You can also wind it around the support to encourage flowering.

The attractive foliage of young Gloriosa in a pot

How to care for a Gloriosa in a pot?

How to water a Gloriosa?

• Water a Gloriosa in a pot regularly, one to two times a week, allowing the potting mix to dry briefly between waterings.
• If you have added a saucer to the pot, make sure water does not stagnate in the saucer. Outdoors, avoid using a saucer.

^Fertilising

• Apply a fertiliser feed once a week or every 2–3 weeks, depending on the varieties, during the growth and flowering period, as Gloriosa is a hungry plant.
• Stop watering at the end of flowering and store in a frost-free place.
• Water again in spring

Pruning

• During flowering, remove spent flowers as they appear to encourage further flowering.
• In autumn, cut the above-ground parts when they are completely dry.

Repotting

• Repot Gloriosa from time to time, when the plant is pot-bound.
• Do this operation preferably in late winter, around February.

Overwintering

• Gloriosa is frost-tender outdoors, from about -4°C to 1°C depending on the variety and this in the ground. In a pot, it will be even less frost-hardy. Overwintering is therefore necessary.
• In autumn, bring the pot under cover and stop watering to prevent the bulb from rotting.
• Store the Gloriosa in a dry, frost-free place for the entire winter. The plant then enters a rest period and should not be watered.
• You can move it back outdoors in spring, when there is no longer any risk of frost.

Diseases

• It is fairly resistant to diseases.
• If attacked by red spider mites, improve air circulation and regularly spray the foliage.

For everything you need to know about growing this tropical plant, see:

• our complete guide to Gloriosa planting and care,
• as well as our Gloriosa collection.