Free Gloriosa Rothschildiana Plants

The flowers of the Gloriosa are amongst the most spectacular of all indoor plants, being bright red and yellow in colour and an unusual, lily-like shape. The long, glossy leaves bear tendrils at their tips, and the plant must be provided with a frame or trellis to climb up. All of the growth on the plant, which can be prodigious, is produced in one year’s growing season. At the end of the season the plant dies back to its tuberous root, which should be kept fairly dry and cool, at 10-13°C (50-55°F), When spring arrives, the moisture and warmth can be increased to encourage the plant to break out of dormancy. The tuber does'not always respond immediately so it is sometimes necessary to persevere for a while until the new growth begins.

Plant type : Flowering plant with climbing habit
Season of interest : Summer
Size : 100-200cm (39—78in)
Flower : Formed from six recurved petals, 7.5—10cm (3—4in) across, red and yellow
Leaf : Pointed, thin, 7.5cm (3in) long, shiny, dark green
Temperature : 15-20°C (59-68T)
Aspect/Light : Well-lit situation with exposure to sunlight
Humidity : High
Watering : Evenly moisten compost in spring and summer; keep on dry side in autumn and winter
Feeding : Once every two to three weeks with half-strength flowering plant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : Separate tuber and pot in potting compost at 18-20°C (65—68°F) in very early spring; sow seeds as above in mid spring
Potting : Houseplant potting compost
Problems : Aphid, difficulty in breaking out of dormancy
Availability : Occasionally available
Uses indoors : Conservatory or close to patio window