Red-hot pokers make a brilliant display in a garden and the flowers last for a long time. The showy, bright-coloured flowers are ideal for adding a splash of colour to an area or making a bold statement. These plants can be used at the back of a mixed flower border, in groups in the front of a shrub border, or lining a long driveway. Kniphofia tolerate wind well and are often seen growing close to the coast. They also make excellent cut flowers. The winter-flowering varieties are particularly useful in providing displays of colour during the dry winter months in the summer rainfall regions.

Kniphofia grow well in rich soil located in an open sunny position or partial shade. Most species require plenty of water during the growing season if they are to thrive and flower well. They should also be fertilised monthly during their active growing period. Kniphofia species are generally hardy to semi-hardy. Most species tolerate frost but the winter-flowering species should be protected. Some summer-flowering species die down in winter and grow again in the early summer. In cultivation Kniphofia resent disturbance. They will take a year to settle down after being divided and will not flower well. They should therefore be left undisturbed for many years until their flowers show signs of deterioration through overcrowding. Some commonly cultivated Kniphofia species include K. praecox, K. linearifolia, K. uvaria, K. multiflora, K. caulescens and a variety of attractive cultivars.

These plants can be propagated by seed or by division. Division will produce the quickest results since seed takes a long time to produce flowering plants. Large clumps can be lifted and divided, using a spade and then replanted.

Acknowledgements: Mr Syd Ramdhani is thanked for providing information on the distribution of the genus.