Montbretia Crocosmia 'Comet' Knutty

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Crocosmia 'Comet' is a captivating plant that boasts a fiery display of flowers. The blossoms are arranged along arching stems in a bold, vibrant red color that immediately draws the eye. Each flower blooms with a tubular shape, flaring out into a trio of spreading lobes that resemble the tails of a comet streaking across the sky. This fiery red hue is accented with subtle touches of yellow or orange in the throat, adding depth and complexity to each bloom. The plant's foliage forms graceful, sword-like green leaves that create a dense and upright clump, providing an excellent backdrop for the dramatic floral display above. The leaves exude a lush, tropical feel, adding texture and vivid greenery to any garden space. Overall, Crocosmia 'Comet' is mesmerizing with its strikingly bright, comet-like flowers that seem to dance atop the elegant green foliage.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars, Sword Lily
- Common names
  Montbretia 'Comet', Tritonia 'Comet'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant commonly known as Crocosmia is not typically considered toxic to humans. However, like any plant material, sensitivity varies from person to person, and ingesting the plant might cause gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in some individuals. It is always best to avoid ingesting parts of ornamental plants due to the potential for unexpected reactions.
- To pets
  The common Crocosmia plant is also not known to be toxic to pets. It does not appear on the list of toxic plants by prominent organizations such as the ASPCA. Nonetheless, if a pet ingests a significant amount of the plant, they might experience mild gastrointestinal upset, which could include symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. It is generally recommended to prevent pets from ingesting plant material where possible.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Orange
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  5-9
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators: Crocosmia 'Comet' is known to attract bees and hummingbirds, which can help pollinate your garden and surrounding plants.
- Easy to grow: This plant is not very demanding, making it a good choice for novice gardeners or those with less time for garden maintenance.
- Drought-tolerant: Once established, it has good resistance to drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Long blooming period: Crocosmia 'Comet' flowers last for several weeks, which can extend the colorful appearance of your garden.
- Deer resistant: It is not typically favored by deer, which can be an advantage in areas where deer browsing can harm more susceptible plants.
- Provides color and visual interest: With its vibrant flowers and arching stems, it adds aesthetic appeal to any landscape.
- Good for cut flowers: The flowers can be cut and will last for a considerable time in vases, bringing the beauty of the garden inside.
- Structural garden element: The tall and upright form of Crocosmia 'Comet' can provide structure and height variation in garden design.
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
- Ink Production: The vibrant hues of Crocosmia 'Comet' flowers can be used to create natural dyes for ink, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic colorants.
- Fabric Dyeing: The rich colors from the flowers and leaves can be utilized in the art of fabric dyeing, yielding unique patterns and designs for textiles.
- Art Supplies: Dried Crocosmia 'Comet' petals could be crushed into a fine powder and used in color pigments for artist's pastels or other art mediums.
- Culinary Garnish: The vivid flowers can serve as an attractive edible garnish in high-end culinary presentations, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of dishes.
- Floral Water: Petals can be steeped in water to create floral-infused waters for use in cosmetic products or as a refreshing face mist.
- Photography Props: The striking appearance of Crocosmia 'Comet' makes it an excellent subject or backdrop for photographers, especially in macro photography.
- Craft Materials: Dried stems, seed pods, and flowers can be incorporated into crafts, such as making bookmarks, greeting cards, or scrapbooking elements.
- Natural Confetti: Dried petals of Crocosmia 'Comet' can be used as biodegradable confetti for eco-friendly celebrations and events.
- Botanical Illustration: The plant can serve as a subject for botanical illustrators to practice their craft and create detailed studies or art pieces.
- Erosion Control: When planted in mass, Crocosmia 'Comet' can help stabilize soil and control erosion on slopes and banks due to its clustering growth habit.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Montbretia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Montbretia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Fiery Love: The bright, flamboyant flowers of Crocosmia symbolize intense love and passion, reflective of their fiery red and orange colors.
- Independence: Because Crocosmia stands tall and upright, it represents independence and the strength to stand alone.
- Zeal: The plant's vigorous growth and vibrant blooms convey enthusiasm and zeal for life.
- Attraction: Its arresting colors and unique shape can symbolize attraction and magnetism, drawing people together like a natural magnet.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Montbretia requires consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. It should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging. During dry spells or in particularly hot climates, you might need to water twice a week, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant, scaling back to when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch.
Light
Montbretia thrives in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is one where it can receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Areas with morning sunlight and afternoon shade can also be suitable, especially in hotter climates to protect from the scorch of the midday sun.
Temperature
Montbretia performs well in a temperate climate and can tolerate a temperature range from 40°F to 90°F. They prefer an ideal temperature around 60°F to 70°F. It's important that the temperatures do not consistently drop below 40°F, as this can damage or kill the plant.
Pruning
Prune Montbretia to remove spent flowers and to keep the plant looking tidy, as well as to encourage additional blooming. You can also cut back the foliage in the fall once it has died back naturally. Pruning is typically only needed once a year, with the best time being late fall or early winter after the plant has finished blooming and the foliage has yellowed.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Crocosmia (also known as montbretia) should be well-draining and rich in organic matter, with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. A blend of two parts loam, one part peat or well-rotted compost, and one part sharp sand or perlite is ideal for this perennial.
Repotting
Crocosmia, or montbretia, typically does not need frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. They should be repotted or divided every 3 to 4 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Humidity & Misting
Montbretia, or Crocosmia, prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and does not require special humidity conditions. Outdoor ambient humidity is generally sufficient for this hardy garden plant.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, well-draining soil, and moderate watering.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to part shade, enrich soil, and water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  6-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Crocosmia 'Comet', commonly known as Montbretia, begins when its corms are planted in the soil in late winter or early spring. The corms germinate and produce sword-shaped leaves, followed by the development of long, arching flowering stems in summer, which bear vibrant, funnel-shaped flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After flowering, the plant sets seed pods, which eventually dry and release seeds, although reproduction is primarily through division of the corms. In autumn, the foliage begins to die back as the plant enters dormancy, reserving energy in the corms for the next growth cycle. Throughout winter, the corms overwinter underground, and with the return of warmer temperatures in the following spring, the cycle recommences with the sprouting of new growth. Montbretia spreads and naturalizes over time, with the corms multiplying to form larger clumps that require division every 3-4 years to maintain plant vigor.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late spring
- Propogation: The Crocosmia 'Comet' Knutty, commonly known as Comet Crocosmia, is typically propagated through the division of corms. The best time to propagate this plant is in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the clumps of Crocosmia corms and gently separate them by hand, ensuring that each new clump has at least one growing point or shoot. These can then be replanted immediately at a depth of about 3 to 5 inches (approximately 7.5 to 12.5 cm) and spaced approximately 6 to 8 inches (about 15 to 20 cm) apart. Water the newly planted corms well to establish them. Through this method, the Comet Crocosmia will rapidly develop new shoots and roots, and by the end of the growing season, each individual corm should have multiplied, providing more plants for future growth or sharing with fellow gardeners.