Torch Lily Lilium 'The Torch' (Viiia-b/b)
ABOUT
Lilium 'The Torch' is a striking ornamental lily that captivates onlookers with its fiery blooms. The flowers are a dazzling red-orange color, resembling a blazing torch as suggested by its name. Each bloom radiates with a gradient of hues that transition from a deep, intense red at the edges to a warmer, golden orange towards the center. These vivid flowers possess a glossy sheen and are outward-facing, displaying their beauty for all to see. The petals are characterized by their gently recurved tips, elegantly drawing backwards like the graceful wings of a bird in flight. This delicate curvature adds to the dynamic visual interest of the plant. Accentuating the flowers are prominent anthers that protrude from the center, tipped with dark pollen that contrasts sharply against the bright petals. As a lily, it has a cluster of these stunning flowers atop each stem, creating a lavish display of color. The lush foliage of 'The Torch' is equally attractive, with dark green, lance-shaped leaves that spiral up the stem, providing a perfect backdrop to showcase the flowers. This ensemble of fiery blossoms and verdant leaves contributes to the plant's allure, making it a prized selection for gardens and floral arrangements alike.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Torch Lily, Red Hot Poker, Tritoma
Common names
Lilium 'The Torch'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as 'The Torch' lily is not significantly toxic to humans. However, it may cause minor symptoms such as an upset stomach or mild skin irritation if ingested or handled without gloves for sensitive individuals.
To pets
'The Torch' lily is highly toxic to cats. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to severe kidney damage or failure. Symptoms of poisoning in cats include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, kidney failure, and without prompt treatment, can be fatal. This lily can also be toxic to dogs, causing gastrointestinal upset, but generally not as severe as in cats.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
4 feet (1.2 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and texture to gardens with its bright, fiery red flowers.
- Attracts Pollinators: Invites bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, helping to pollinate the garden.
- Perennial Growth: Returns each year, forming a long-lasting part of the garden landscape.
- Cut Flower Use: Has long stems and a long vase life, making it perfect for floral arrangements and bouquets.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooms in the summer, providing seasonal interest when many other plants may not be flowering.
- Easy to Grow: Known for requiring minimal care, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Hybrid Vigor: As a hybrid, it may exhibit increased robustness, compared to its parent species, in terms of growth and resistance to pests.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The vibrant petals of the Lily 'The Torch' can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, providing a unique and organic color option for textile artistry.
- Dried Lily 'The Torch' petals could serve as a component in potpourri mixes, contributing a visually striking element with their bright orange-red hue.
- The stalks of the Lily 'The Torch', when dried and treated, can be used as plant stakes for supporting other, less sturdy plants in the garden.
- The robust stem of the Lily 'The Torch' can be repurposed as a natural material for weaving small baskets or crafting other decorative items.
- Floral photographers often utilize the striking appearance of the Lily 'The Torch' as a subject for botanical photography, due to its bold colors and large blooms.
- The flower's large, sturdy petals can be used in art projects, such as pressing for bookmarks or inclusion in resin jewelry.
- During celebrations, the petals of the Lily 'The Torch' could be used as a biodegradable confetti alternative to add an organic touch to events.
- The discarded bulbs of the Lily 'The Torch' can be ground to serve as a nutrient-rich addition to compost piles or as an organic garden fertilizer.
- Artists may use the pollen of the Lily 'The Torch' for pigment in non-toxic paints, creating artwork with an organic essence.
- Culinary enthusiasts could crystallize the edible parts of the Lily 'The Torch' flower to create ornate and flavorful decorations for desserts.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant commonly known as The Torch Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Torch Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Passion: The 'The Torch' lily's vibrant red color is often associated with intense passion and deep love, making it a popular choice in romantic bouquets and gestures.
- Beauty: Lilium 'The Torch' with its stunning appearance signifies beauty and elegance, often reminding onlookers of the natural grace found within the world of flora.
- Purity: Despite its fiery color, lilies in general symbolize purity and virtue, and 'The Torch' is no exception, often used in ceremonial events to denote innocence.
- Renewal: The perennial nature of the lily represents rebirth and renewal, symbolizing new beginnings or the rejuvenation of the spirit.
- Transformation: The lifecycle of the lily, from bulb to bloom, signifies transformation and development, making it a metaphor for personal growth.
WaterThe Torch Lily, commonly known as 'The Torch', thrives when the soil is kept evenly moist, but not waterlogged. During the active growing season in spring and summer, watering should occur when the top inch of soil feels dry, roughly once a week depending on climate conditions. Generally, use about 1 gallon of water per plant for each watering session. In periods of rainfall, reduce additional watering to prevent over-saturation. It's important to avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases, instead focus on watering at the base of the plant.
LightThe Torch Lily prefers a location that receives full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot would provide at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to encourage the best growth and flowering. When planting, choose a spot that is protected from harsh afternoon sun in extremely hot climates to prevent stress on the plant.
TemperatureThe Torch Lily can withstand a range of temperatures but grows best when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 85°F. While it can survive minimum temperatures down to about 40°F, it's ideal to avoid exposing the plant to frost. The Torch Lily typically flourishes in the moderate temperatures of its growing zones and should not be exposed to extreme heat or cold.
PruningThe Torch Lilly should be pruned to remove spent flowers and encourage further blooming during the growing season. After blooming has finished, cut the stem back by two-thirds to promote healthy regrowth and maintain plant vigor. Ideally, pruning is best done immediately after flowers have faded and before seed pods fully form.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for a Tiger Lily is well-draining with a mixture of loam, sand, and leaf mold or compost. A pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is ideal for optimal growth and flowering.
RepottingTiger Lilies should be repotted every 2-3 years or when the bulbs multiply and become crowded in their current container.
Humidity & MistingTiger Lilies prefer average room humidity levels between 40-60% but do well in garden humidity too.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Tiger Lily in bright, indirect light and keep moist.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleLilium 'The Torch', also known as torch lily, begins its life cycle as a dormant bulb, surviving underground through winter until conditions are favorable for growth. In spring, the bulb sends up shoots and leaves, developing into a sturdy stem and foliage. Throughout late spring and summer, the plant produces vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that are often orange-red with brown speckles on tall stalks. After flowering, the plant sets seed in capsule-like fruits if pollination occurs; seeds can be dispersed to produce new plants. Throughout the growing season, it accumulates nutrients back into the bulb for next year's growth. As temperatures drop and daylight decreases in the fall, the above-ground parts of the torch lily die back, and the plant reenters dormancy, repeating the cycle the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Early spring
Propogation: Lilium 'The Torch', commonly known as an Asiatic lily, is typically propagated through scaling, the most popular method for these plants. In late summer to fall, when the plant is dormant, scales can be gently pulled away from the bulb. Each scale, ideally with a piece of the basal plate attached, is then placed in a zip-lock bag with moist peat moss or vermiculite and stored in a cool place at around 70°F (21°C) for about 6 weeks, during which time tiny bulblets will form at the base of the scales. These bulblets can be planted in soil after the formation of roots, where they will grow into new plants. This method is favored for its simplicity and effectiveness in producing new lilies that are true to the parent plant.
