Would a climbing lily vine bring some excitement to your patio? Add bright color for a garden wall or something glamorous, exotic, and a conversation starter for the front doorstep?
If so, why not plant a climbing Gloriosa lily vine (aka Gloriosa lilies) in pots for a portable bloom that provides color in your garden where color is needed.
Gloriosa Lily Is NOT A Lily
The truth is this “vine lily” is not a lily at all. Climbing Gloriosa lilies grows from a tuber that looks a lot like an Idaho potato!
The flamboyant, climbing gloriosa plant vine in southern gardens puts on unbelievable display.
You can enjoy these exotic flowers with their unique form, crisp colors and delicately ruffled petals which bend backward all in a pot!
When Can You Expect Flowers From A Gloriosa Lily in Containers?
Tubers potted up in the spring will give bloom up until frost. And it’s even possible to have second bloom the first year if the tubers are allowed to rest for a period of two or three months.
The big four-inch flowers have broad, crimson-scarlet petals highlighted by bright golden bases. The flowers are perfect for cutting as well as for pot bloom.
The handsome leaves elongate into tendrils that support the plant. Plants grown in full sun will not vine as heavily as those grown in semi-shade and as a result, potted lily vines can be moved readily where needed.
Caring For Potted Lily Gloriosa Lily Vine Plants
Tuber Selection: When selecting tubers only choose firm healthy tubers.
Planting: Plant two or more gloriosa climbing lily tubers spaced 2″ inches apart in shallow 8″-12″ inch azalea pots filled with a bagged potting mix or a potting soil of good garden loam with one-third decayed cow manure or peat moss added.
Cover over the tubers with two inches of soil and water lightly.
Support: As soon as the top growth appears, water the plants freely and provide them some support.
Stakes or wire supports, even a tomato cage may be used. I’ve seen chicken wire folded flat and tacked to wooden slat strips. The leaves of the plants, quickly concealed the support.
Watering and Feeding: Because of many fine feeding roots care should be taken not to overwater lily vines and drown out the roots.
You’ll find better results by watering from the bottom of the pot. During drought periods the plants will require regular watering.
Plants will bloom continuously until frost if watered regularly and given an occasional feeding with a complete water-soluble liquid fertilizer.
Grooming: Keep plants well groomed by removing faded flowers.
Storing Climbing Flame Lily Bulbs
At the end of the growing season gradually withhold the water and allow the foliage to dry back.
Then remove the tubers from the pots before frost and store the tubers dry in plastic food bags filled with vermiculite. Store at a temperature of 55° to 65° degrees Fahrenheit.
Plant the tubers of gloriosa lily vines any time after a rest period of two or three months. By staggering the plantings, they can bloom year round.