Butterfly Gladiolus Gladiolus papilio

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The plant commonly known as Butterfly Gladiolus is an attractive perennial known for its striking flowers. The blooms exhibit a unique beauty, characterized by their delicate, butterfly-like appearance, from which the plant derives its common name. The flowers typically display a subtle color palette, varying from soft mauve to rosy pink, with intricate markings in a deeper hue that may include purple or burgundy. The flower petals overlap, adding to their charm, while the lower petals often exhibit a lighter tone that may appear almost white or cream, providing a pleasing contrast to the darker markings. These blooms are arranged on tall spikes that rise elegantly above the plant's foliage. The leaves are sword-shaped, creating a vertical and architectural element in the garden, and they have a rich green hue that forms a lush background for the eye-catching flowers. The arrangement of the blooms along the spikes is such that the display is both dramatic and aesthetically appealing, drawing the eye along the entire length of the flowering spike. The graceful disposition of Butterfly Gladiolus makes it popular among gardeners who wish to add a vertical element and a touch of whimsy to their garden beds or borders. Its blooms are not only visually appealing but are also sought after for cut flower arrangements due to their longevity and unique beauty.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Butterfly Gladiolus, Ruby Gladiolus, Papilio Gladiolus
- Common names
  Acidanthera papilio, Gladiolus alatus var. papilio, Homoglossum papilio
Toxicity
- To humans
  Gladiolus papilio, commonly known as the Butterfly Gladiolus, contains substances that can be mildly toxic if ingested. In humans, consumption of plant parts, particularly corms (bulb-like structures), may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. While fatal poisoning is rare, ingestion can lead to significant discomfort and may require medical attention, especially in individuals with sensitivities or allergies to the plant.
- To pets
  The Butterfly Gladiolus is also toxic to pets. If ingested by dogs, cats, or other household pets, it can cause similar symptoms as in humans, including vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The severity of the symptoms may vary depending on the amount ingested and the size of the pet. If you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the Butterfly Gladiolus plant, it is crucial to seek veterinary attention promptly to manage any adverse effects.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental value: Gladiolus papilio adds striking visual appeal to gardens and landscapes with its tall spikes of colorful, butterfly-like flowers.
- Pollinator attraction: The blooms can attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that are beneficial to the garden ecosystem.
- Cut flowers: The long stems and vibrant flowers make excellent cut flower arrangements with a long vase life.
- Breeding potential: Gladiolus papilio can be used in breeding programs to develop new Gladiolus cultivars with unique characteristics.
- Seasonal interest: This perennial plant adds seasonal interest to the garden, with blooms typically in summer.
- Easy to grow: It's relatively easy to cultivate in a variety of soils, as long as there's good drainage, and it requires minimal care once established.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Floral Art & Design: Gladiolus papilio, commonly known as Butterfly Gladiolus, can be used in floral art for its striking, unique blossoms which add an exotic touch to arrangements and competitions.
- Wedding Bouquets: The Butterfly Gladiolus's elegant and showy flowers make for a distinctive choice in wedding bouquets, especially for summer weddings.
- Garden Borders: When planted in rows or clusters, Butterfly Gladiolus adds height and color to garden borders, creating a visually dynamic layering effect.
- Pottery and Potpourri: Dried petals of Butterfly Gladiolus can be incorporated into pottery designs or mixed into potpourri for a subtle, pleasant fragrance.
- Photography Subject: Its attractive flowers make Butterfly Gladiolus a popular choice among photographers looking for natural beauty in their botanical or garden photography.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not commonly known for culinary uses, the petals of Butterfly Gladiolus could potentially be used as an edible garnish for their beauty, after ensuring they are free from pesticides.
- Homemade Dyes: The vibrant colors of Butterfly Gladiolus flowers can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or crafts.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried petals of Butterfly Gladiolus can serve as biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations, decomposing naturally without harming the environment.
- Insectary Plants: Butterfly Gladiolus can attract beneficial insects to the garden, serving as insectary plants that promote a healthy ecosystem.
- Literary Inspiration: The distinctive look of the Butterfly Gladiolus can provide inspiration for writers and poets, symbolizing strength, integrity, and infatuation in literature.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Butterfly Gladiolus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Butterfly Gladiolus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Strength of Character – The Gladiolus papilio, commonly known as the Parrot's Beak, symbolizes strength of character due to its sturdy and resilient nature.
- Integrity – Reflecting the upright growth of the flower spikes, the Parrot's Beak represents integrity and moral uprightness.
- Vitality – With its vibrant colors and life force, the Parrot's Beak is often associated with vitality and the power of life.
- Infatuation – In the language of flowers, giving someone a Gladiolus can indicate infatuation or admiration.
- Remembrance – This plant also stands as a symbol of remembrance, marking sincerity and faithfulness in remembering loved ones.
- Honor and Faithfulness – The sturdy nature of the Parrot's Beak exemplifies honor and faithfulness, often given to show respect and commitment.

💧

Every 10 days

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
The Butterfly Gladiolus requires moderate watering, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water the plant once a week with about half a gallon for outdoor plants, or adjust for container size to ensure even moisture without overwatering. Reduce watering frequency after the blooms fade and the leaves begin to yellow, indicating the plant is entering dormancy. In hot, dry climates, increase watering frequency to maintain soil moisture but be cautious of overwatering which can lead to bulb rot.
Light
The Butterfly Gladiolus thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and flower production. Plant them in a spot where they receive ample sunlight throughout the day; however, in areas with extremely hot summers, provide some afternoon shade to prevent scorching of the foliage and flowers.
Temperature
The Butterfly Gladiolus prefers a temperate range and grows best in environments where temperatures range between 60°F to 80°F. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F but typically perform poorly in frost conditions and should be shielded from freezing temperatures. The ideal scenario is a warm climate without drastic fluctuations that can stress the plant.
Pruning
Pruning the Butterfly Gladiolus involves removing spent flower spikes to encourage the plant to focus its energy on the remaining blooms or bulb development. Cut the flower stalks close to the base after the flowers have faded but leave the foliage intact until it dies back naturally. Pruning should be done as needed throughout the blooming season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Butterfly gladiolus thrives best in a well-draining, loamy soil mix with compost or peat moss. The ideal soil pH for Butterfly gladiolus ranges from 6.0 to 7.0 to allow for optimal growth and flowering.
Repotting
Butterfly gladiolus corms should be lifted and divided every 3-4 years to avoid overcrowding and to maintain plant vigor. After flowering and before frost, bulbs can be stored for the winter and replanted in spring.
Humidity & Misting
Butterfly gladiolus prefers moderate to high humidity levels for optimal growth. However, it is adaptable and can tolerate different humidity conditions as long as it's not in an extremely dry environment.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air flow.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun with well-draining soil.
- Hardiness zone
  7-10 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Gladiolus papilio, commonly known as Butterfly Gladiolus, begins with the germination of corms, which are bulb-like storage organs. Upon sprouting in spring, slender green leaves and sturdy stems emerge, initiating the vegetative stage. As the plant matures, it enters the reproductive stage, typically in summer, producing tall flower spikes adorned with orchid-like blooms that exhibit a mix of purple, lavender, and muted yellow hues. After pollination, possibly by insects attracted to its unique flowers, seeds develop in capsules. Once the flowering is complete and seeds are dispersed, the plant enters a period of dormancy, with the corms remaining underground through winter until the next growth cycle. It is during this dormant phase that corms can be divided and replanted to propagate new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- Gladiolus papilio, more commonly known as the Butterfly Gladiolus, is generally propagated through the division of corms, which is the most popular method. The best time to divide and propagate Butterfly Gladiolus corms is in the late summer or early fall, after the foliage has died back but before the ground freezes. To propagate, carefully dig up the corms and gently brush off the soil. You will likely find smaller corms, known as cormlets, attached to the base of the parent corm. These can be separated and planted individually. The corms should be stored in a cool, dry place over the winter and then planted about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) deep in well-draining soil and spaced about 6 inches (15 centimeters) apart in the spring after the last frost has passed.