Montbretia Crocosmia 'Lucifer'
ABOUT
Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is a vibrant, eye-catching perennial plant known for its fiery, red, tubular flowers that bloom in the summer. These flowers are clustered on arching, sword-shaped stems, creating a bold and dramatic visual effect. Each individual flower of Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is characterized by a flared trumpet shape that is complemented by a slight curve, giving the impression of movement and elegance. The foliage of Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is equally striking, composed of long, slender, pleated leaves that are a deep green in color. These leaves form a dense, sword-like clump, providing an excellent backdrop for the dramatic flowers and adding a lush, textured look to the plant's overall appearance. The striking flowers of Crocosmia 'Lucifer' not only add a burst of color to the garden but also attract a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds and bees, enhancing the ecological diversity of the garden space. When in bloom, the plant displays a fiery palette ranging from bright, true red to slightly deeper shades with red-orange overtones, making it a standout in any garden setting. The magnificent blooms and the cascading nature of the flower spikes create an impression of fire, which is how this plant gets its evocative common name.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Iridaceae
Synonyms
Montbretia, Falling Stars, Lucifer Montbretia
Common names
Montbretia 'Lucifer'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Crocosmia 'Lucifer', also known simply as Crocosmia, is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no widespread reports of poisoning from ingesting this plant. However, as with any plant not intended for consumption, it is possible that some individuals may experience mild stomach upset or an allergic reaction if they ingest parts of the plant. It is always advisable to exercise caution and keep plants out of the reach of small children who may be tempted to eat them.
To pets
The Crocosmia 'Lucifer', also known simply as Crocosmia, does not appear on lists of plants commonly known to be toxic to pets, such as cats and dogs. While this suggests that the plant is not highly toxic, ingestion can still potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea, particularly in pets with sensitive stomachs or those that ingest large quantities of the plant. It is always a good practice to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting plants unnecessarily. If you suspect your pet has ingested Crocosmia and is showing adverse symptoms, it is advisable to contact your veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Southern Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Vibrant Color: Crocosmia Lucifer produces bright red flowers that add a splash of intense color to any garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers are known for attracting hummingbirds and beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is relatively easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Crocosmia Lucifer is tolerant of dry conditions, requiring minimal watering.
- Long Blooming Season: The plant has a prolonged flowering period, which can last from mid-summer to early fall.
- Architectural Interest: The tall, arching stems and sword-shaped leaves add structure and form to garden beds or borders.
- Cutting Garden Ideal: The stems of Crocosmia Lucifer are sturdy and the blooms make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
- Naturalizing: The plants can multiply and spread over time, creating larger displays in the garden without the need for replanting.
- Deer Resistant: Crocosmia Lucifer is not a preferred food source for deer, making it a good choice for gardens with deer problems.
- Winter Hardy: The corms of this plant are winter-hardy in many climates, surviving cold seasons to bloom again.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crocosmia 'Lucifer' can be used as a natural dye source for fabrics, providing a range of warm hues from the flowers and foliage when processed correctly.
- The plant can act as a natural pest deterrent in gardens, with its strong scent and foliage that can be unpleasant to certain pests.
- Crocosmia 'Lucifer' serves as an attractive addition to floral art and dried flower arrangements, with its striking red flowers and strong stems lasting well after cutting.
- The robust nature of Crocosmia 'Lucifer' can help in soil erosion control, as its root system helps stabilize soil in gardens and landscaped areas.
- Because of its vibrant color, the plant can be used as a marker or indicator plant to outline garden paths and boundaries.
- This plant can act as an educational tool to study plant growth, pollination, and the lifecycle of perennial plants in schools and educational programs.
- Crocosmia 'Lucifer's discarded foliage and stems can be repurposed into a natural mulch, providing nutrients back to the garden as they decompose.
- The species can be employed in photographic and fine arts as a striking subject for capturing the interplay of color and light in nature.
- Its distinct shape and color can inspire design elements in fashion and textile industries, influencing patterns and color schemes in fabric designs.
- Due to the height and structure of Crocosmia 'Lucifer', it can be used as a natural privacy screen in garden settings.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Crocosmia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Crocosmia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Passion: With its fiery red flowers, Crocosmia 'Lucifer' represents intense passion and feelings.
- Attraction: The vibrant color and unique shape of the blooms are symbolic of attraction and magnetism.
- Energy and Enthusiasm: Just like the bold appearance of the plant, it symbolizes high energy and enthusiasm in life.
- Dramatic Flair: Crocosmia 'Lucifer', with its striking presence, is often associated with a dramatic and bold statement in the garden reflecting similar traits.
WaterMontbretia 'Lucifer' prefers consistently moist soil during its growing season, typically spring through late summer. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This could mean watering once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Use about one gallon per plant each time you water, ensuring the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage a strong root system. During the dormant period in fall and winter, reduce watering considerably, as the plant requires less moisture when not in active growth.
LightMontbretia 'Lucifer' thrives best in full sunlight to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is a location that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day, with some dappled shade during the hottest part of the afternoon. This ensures the flowers achieve their vibrant color and helps maintain healthy growth.
TemperatureMontbretia 'Lucifer' performs well in a wide range of temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. It can survive temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit during its dormant period. Ideally, it grows best in temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season.
PruningPrune Montbretia 'Lucifer' to remove spent flower stalks and to maintain a tidy appearance. Pruning can be done in late summer after the plant has finished blooming, or in early spring before new growth starts. Cut the foliage to the ground in late fall after it has died back naturally to prepare the plant for its dormant period.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMontbretia, commonly known as Crocosmia 'Lucifer', thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A good soil mix for planting includes loamy garden soil amended with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and nutrient content.
RepottingMontbretia typically does not require frequent repotting. It should be repotted or divided every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding, usually in early spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingMontbretia is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require any special humidity conditions for optimal growth. It grows well in the outdoor humidity levels naturally present in its growing zones.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, well-drained soil, and moderate temps.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleMontbretia 'Lucifer' begins its life cycle when its corms, which are small, underground storage organs, are planted in soil during spring. These corms sprout and grow into upright, sword-shaped, green leaves, and as the plant matures, tall flower spikes develop, typically in mid to late summer. The vibrant red, tube-like flowers bloom along the spikes, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. After flowering, the plant sets seed, but in many climates, gardeners often remove the flower spikes to encourage more vigorous foliage growth and to prevent the plant from spreading too aggressively. As autumn approaches, the foliage begins to die back, and the plant enters a period of dormancy during the winter. Throughout this dormancy, the corms remain underground until the conditions are suitable again for the next growth cycle in spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Spring
Crocosmia 'Lucifer', commonly known as Montbretia, is best propagated through division, a method which is most successful during the spring season. As the plant develops, it forms clumps of corms which are underground storage organs similar to bulbs. Once these clumps have grown large enough, typically after two to three years of growth, they can be gently dug up and divided. The gardener should carefully separate the corms, ensuring each division has at least one growing point. These individual corms can then be replanted immediately, about 4 inches (approximately 10 centimeters) deep, spaced around 6 inches (15 centimeters) apart, and watered thoroughly to establish new thriving plants. This straightforward division method encourages healthier plants by reducing overcrowding and stimulates rejuvenated growth and blooming in the Crocosmia 'Lucifer'.
