Tigridia: Planting, Growing and Caring for Your young plants

Botany

Tigridia is a perennial cormous plant native to Central America (particularly Mexico and Guatemala). It grows in steppes, rocky areas and sandy soils. It has also become naturalized in Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. There are 53 species of Tigridia, but in cultivation we mainly find Tigridia pavonia, which comes in different varieties offering various flower colours and patterns.

Tigridia belongs to the iris family, Iridaceae. This large family includes herbaceous plants that are usually bulbous or rhizomatous, some of which are highly valued in gardens for their colourful and sophisticated flowering: these include irises, crocosmias, gladioli, crocuses, freesias, watsonias and dietes.

Tigridia pavonia: Botanical illustration

The name Tigridia comes from the Latin tigris, alluding to the tiger-like patterns on the flowers. Tigridia pavonia owes its species name to Spanish physician and botanist Joseph Pavon Jimenez, who in the 18^th century took part in an expedition to Central and South America and described many native plants. Pavonia, a plant in the Malvaceae family, was also named in his honour.

Tigridia is rather tender, tolerating only short frosts not dropping below -5°C. Therefore, except in very mild climates like the Mediterranean region, it’s best to protect the plant in winter by digging up the corm or, if grown in a pot, bringing it under cover.

When grown in our climates, tigridias typically reach between 40 and 60 cm in height. In their natural habitat or under optimal growing conditions, they become much taller and can reach up to 1.50 m.

Tigridia flowers in summer, usually in July-August. The flowers are ephemeral, lasting only one day, opening in the morning and fading by evening, but they succeed each other over several weeks.

The flowers are triangular and measure 10 to 15 cm in diameter. They consist of three large, well-developed sepals and three smaller, more discreet sepals arranged alternately. At the centre is a long trifid style (divided into three at the tip), along with three stamens. The flowers of the type species (as found in nature) are red with yellow markings. There are different varieties offering a wider colour range: white, yellow, orange, pink… Most often, the throat is tiger-striped with purple, giving great intensity to the flowering. There are exceptions: the ‘Alba Immaculata’ variety, for example, has entirely white flowers.

Some Tigridia species have very different flowers, like small bells nodding towards the ground: this is the case with Tigridia meleagris, for example. However, in cultivation we mainly find varieties derived from Tigridia pavonia, with their characteristic triangular flowers.

Tigridia flowers come in different colours: red, pink, yellow, white… Tigridia pavonia (type species), and varieties derived from it: Tigridia pavonia ‘Lilacea’ (photo M0tty), ‘Canariensis’ and ‘Alba Grandiflora’ (photo Uleli)

Tigridia forms clumps of sword-shaped leaves, slender and measuring 20 to 50 cm long. They are pleated lengthwise and arranged in a fan shape, resembling iris foliage. The leaves are mainly basal, but flowering stems may also bear one to three sheathing leaves, shorter than the basal leaves.

Tigridia develops its foliage in spring, flowers in summer, then the leaves dry out in autumn and the plant enters dormancy until the following spring. Like most bulbous plants, Tigridia dislikes moisture during its dormancy period, as this may cause the corms to rot.

Tigridia develops from a corm: this is an underground storage organ very similar to true bulbs, but consisting of a swollen underground stem surrounded by a few dried leaves forming a protective envelope (whereas true bulbs are made up of swollen scales, which are modified leaves). They allow the plant to store minerals and survive the cold season underground by entering dormancy. Like Tigridia, several other plants in the Iridaceae family produce corms: crocosmias, gladioli, crocuses, freesias…

The fruit of Tigridia is a capsule that splits into three valves when ripe to release the seeds. In mild climates, it may self-seed in the garden. It’s also possible to harvest the seeds for sowing.

The slender, pleated foliage and corms of Tigridia pavonia

The main varieties of Tigridia

Most Popular Varieties

Our Favourite Varieties

Tigridia pavonia Speciosa

This Tigridia bears large triangular carmine red flowers, marked with yellow. Its vibrant and warm hue is much appreciated!

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

Tigridia pavonia Alba

This variety offers triangular flowers formed of large pure white sepals, beautifully contrasted by purple maculate at the flower's centre.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Tigridia pavonia Aurea

Tigridia pavonia ‘Aurea’ bears yellow flowers, speckled with purplish red at the flower's centre. A particularly luminous flowering!

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

 

Tigridia pavonia Lilacea

This Peacock Eye variety stands out with its original hue: the flowers are pink, with a throat speckled with purple maculate and enhanced by a white border. It would find its place in a romantic garden with white, mauve and pink tones...

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

Tigridia pavonia Mix

This mix combines different Tigridia varieties: an excellent solution if you wish to create a highly colourful flowerbed with yellow, pink, red, white flowers...

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

Planting Tigridia

Where to plant?

Tigridia is a plant that needs warmth: place it preferably in full sun and sheltered from cold winds. However, if you live in areas like the Mediterranean basin, where sunlight is abundant and the climate particularly mild, opt for a partially shaded spot.

In regions with low frost risk, such as the Mediterranean, you can plant Tigridia directly in the ground without issue. In cooler areas, you can either plant it in the ground but will need to lift the corms in autumn for winter storage, or plant it in a pot, making it easy to move indoors for winter.

In the wild, Tigridia grows in well-draining, stony or sandy soils. It dislikes waterlogging, especially in winter, so requires light, loose, and perfectly drained soil. It also thrives in sunny rockeries. However, it appreciates fertile soils, rich in humus. Regarding pH, Tigridia prefers acidic soils and dislikes lime.

For the best effect, we recommend planting in groups rather than in isolation. Ideally, place at least 10 bulbs together. You can choose a mix combining several Tigridia varieties in different colours.

When to plant?

Tigridia is planted in spring, from April to May. You can start Tigridia earlier by planting it in a pot and initially placing it in a greenhouse or conservatory.

How to plant?

In the ground:

1. Dig a planting hole and loosen the soil to about 20 cm deep.
2. Improve drainage by adding coarse sand or gravel, mixed with planting soil and some well-rotted compost.
3. Place the corms in the hole, 10 cm deep, spaced 10–15 cm apart. Position them correctly, with the pointed end upwards.
4. Cover with soil and lightly firm.
5. Water generously.

In pots:

1. Choose a sufficiently large pot with drainage holes. Terracotta pots are ideal—they are attractive and offer good water and air permeability, aiding drainage.
2. Add a drainage layer at the base (gravel, clay pebbles, broken pottery, etc.).
3. Fill the pot with substrate—e.g., a mix of compost, garden soil, and coarse sand.
4. Place the corms 8–10 cm deep.
5. Cover with substrate.
6. Water.
7. Position the pot in a sunny spot, sheltered from cold winds.

Tigridia pavonia ‘Canariensis’

Maintenance

Tigridia prefers the soil to remain moist during its growing and flowering period. Don’t hesitate to provide regular watering (once or twice a week) in spring and summer. Be vigilant if you grow Tigridia in a pot (especially a terracotta one), as the substrate dries out much faster than in the ground! It will therefore need more frequent watering. Preferably use rainwater, as Tigridia dislikes lime. Reduce and then stop watering in autumn and winter, as the plant is dormant and excess moisture risks rotting the corm.

Don’t worry if after flowering you see the foliage turn yellow and dry out: this is completely normal. The plant is entering dormancy, storing minerals in its underground parts (corm), and will spend the colder season underground, re-emerging the following spring. Do not cut the leaves or dig up the corm until the foliage has completely yellowed.

If you grow Tigridia in a pot, we recommend repotting it every spring, using a slightly larger pot each time. This renews the substrate and gives it enough space to develop properly.

Overwintering

In the ground, if you live in a very mild climate where frost is unlikely, you can leave Tigridia in place. In this case, mark its location with a label, as Tigridia foliage dries out after flowering and reappears the following spring. This will prevent accidental damage to the corms if you work in the flowerbed.

If left in the ground over winter, protect it from the cold with a thick layer of mulch. You can also place a cover (such as a transparent sheet) over the bulb to shield it from winter rain and moisture.

In autumn, dig up the corms and store them under cover to protect them from cold and winter damp. We recommend placing them in dry sand at around 10°C. You can replant the corms in spring.

If grown in a pot, simply move it under cover in autumn and bring it back out in spring.

Diseases and Parasites

Slugs and snails may sometimes nibble on young Tigridia leaves in spring. Protect it by using slug pellets or setting up a slug trap. For more advice and information, check out our guide “Slugs: 7 Effective and Natural Ways to Control Them”. Tigridia is also susceptible to diseases transmitted by sap-sucking insects like aphids. The plant may show deformities, necrosis, or discolouration. Unfortunately, there is no cure, so affected plants should be removed to prevent the disease from spreading.

Propagation

The simplest and quickest way to propagate Tigridia is by dividing the corms, but it’s also possible to sow the seeds, which allows you to obtain a greater number of young plants.

Sowing

Sowing is carried out in spring. In a mild climate and under favourable conditions, Tigridia may self-seed.

1. Prepare pots by filling them with seed-sowing compost. Level the surface and lightly firm it down.
2. Sow the seeds by scattering them on the surface.
3. Do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate.
4. Water gently with a fine spray.
5. Place the pots under shelter, in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 20°C.

Ensure the substrate remains slightly moist until germination. Tigridia seeds usually take 2 to 3 weeks to germinate. Once the seedlings reach a size that allows handling (at least 5 cm tall), you can repot them into individual pots.

Tigridia plants grown from seed will not flower in the first year, but only from the second or third year onwards.

Division of clumps

The best time to do this is in late summer or early autumn, when you lift the corms to bring them under cover. We recommend dividing Tigridias every three years, as this helps rejuvenate the clumps.

1. Carefully dig up the corms, taking care not to damage them.
2. Divide them by removing the bulblets that have formed around the original corm.
3. Replant them in pots using a well-draining substrate, such as a mix of one-third compost, one-third garden soil, and one-third coarse sand. They should be planted about 10 cm deep.
4. Cover with substrate, then lightly firm down.
5. Water.

Association

Enjoy the vibrant flowering of Tigridia to create an exotic garden. This type of combination is perfect for enhancing the surroundings of a terrace or swimming pool. Pair it with tropical-style blooms in warm colours (yellow, orange, red, purple…). You could choose, for example, crocosmias, kniphofias, daylilies and cannas. Discover the stunning Belamcanda chinensis, also known as Leopard Lily, which offers beautiful star-shaped orange flowers speckled with dark red in summer. These will echo the floral patterns of Tigridia! Surround these blooms with decorative, lush foliage to create a jungle-like atmosphere! Consider, for example, tetrapanax, gunnera, fatsia, Musa basjoo banana plant, giant hostas… Enjoy the colourful foliage of Phormium ‘Pink Panther’, with its brown, red and coppery tones. Also discover Schefflera taiwaniana, which is hardy down to –12°C! And to give your garden a true jungle feel, don’t hesitate to incorporate some climbing plants: bignonias, akebias, passionflowers…

Discover our guide “Exotic Garden: All Our Tips for Designing One”, as well as our inspiration page “Exotic Ambience”.

Belamcanda chinensis, Tigridia pavonia ‘Aurea’ (photo peganum), Kniphofia ‘Fiery Fred’, Canna striata, Phormium ‘Pink Panther’ and Tetrapanax papyrifera ‘Rex’

Tigridia being an original and very uncommon plant, it benefits from being paired with other rare bulbs, particularly those offering giant, exuberant flowers! Discover, for example, Cardiocrinum giganteum, also known as Giant Himalayan Lily, which produces large flower spikes bearing 10 to 15 big trumpet-shaped flowers, reaching up to 2 m tall! Also consider Crinum powellii, Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Himalaya’, Galtonia candicans ‘Moonbeam’ and the giant lily ‘Honeymoon’. Discover the striking flowering of Scadoxus multiflorus, with its large bright red pompons. This will give you a bed with an exotic style, full of botanical curiosities and uncommon flowers!

For more ideas and advice, discover our guide “7 Rare and Original Bulbs”.

Tigridia can also be incorporated into a more traditional yet equally colourful bed, for example with dahlias, coneflowers, yarrows, agastaches, blanket flowers and sneezeweeds. Also consider ornamental grasses to lighten the bed and add a striking graphic effect: you could, for example, incorporate fountain grasses and feather grasses.

Gaillardia aristata ‘SpinTop Orange Halo’, Tigridia pavonia, Achillea ‘Terracotta’, Helenium ‘Morheim Beauty’ (with Digiplexis ‘Illumination Chelsea Gold’ and Achillea ‘Terracotta’), Agastache ‘Kudos Coral’ and Dahlia ‘Seduction’

→ Discover more ideas for pairing Tigridia in our advice guide!