Montbretia 'Mephistopheles' Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Mephistopheles'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The appearance of the Mephistopheles Crocosmia is striking and distinctive. Its leaves are lance-shaped and dark green, forming a lush basal clump. In mid to late summer, tall stems rise above the foliage, bearing clusters of fiery red tubular flowers. Each flower has a unique devilish charm, with its bright red color and an intriguing curve. These flowers are arranged in a graceful arching pattern, adding a touch of elegance to any garden.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Mephistopheles' Devil's Jester Montbretia, Mephistopheles Crocosmia, Lucifer Crocosmia, Red Montbretia, Mephistopheles Montbretia
- Common names
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Mephistopheles'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Mephistopheles Crocosmia is considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested. Ingesting any part of the plant can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, including symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is important to avoid consuming this plant, especially for individuals with sensitive stomachs or allergies
- To pets
  The Mephistopheles Crocosmia can be toxic to pets if ingested. Cats and dogs may experience symptoms such as drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea if they consume any part of this plant. It's advisable to keep this plant out of reach of pets and to monitor them when they are in the vicinity of the plant to prevent ingestion
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Varies
- Flower color
  Red
- Height
  2 feet (0.61 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.30 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive red flowers add color to gardens and landscapes.
- Can be grown for cut flowers to use in floral arrangements.
- Provides nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Medical Properties
- Traditional medicinal uses include treating skin conditions like burns and insect bites.
- Some cultures have used it as an herbal remedy for digestive issues.
- It may have anti-inflammatory properties, but further research is needed.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Cut Flowers: Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Mephistopheles' is often used in floral arrangements due to its striking red and orange blooms, adding a vibrant touch to bouquets and centerpieces.
- Ornamental Garden Plant: This plant is commonly grown for its ornamental value, enhancing garden landscapes with its fiery-colored flowers and tall, graceful stems.
- Companion Planting: Gardeners use Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' as a companion plant to deter certain pests and attract beneficial insects like pollinators to their gardens.
- Cut Foliage: The sword-like leaves of Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' can be cut and used in floral arrangements to provide a unique texture and contrast to flower displays.
- Edible Flowers: While not a well-known use, some culinary enthusiasts experiment with using the edible flowers of this plant to garnish salads or desserts for a pop of color.
- Natural Dye: The vibrant red and orange petals of this plant can be used to create natural dyes for textiles, yielding earthy and warm hues.
- Wildlife Habitat: Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' can serve as a habitat for small wildlife, offering shelter and a food source for various insects and birds.
- Decorative Crafts: Crafters may incorporate dried flowers and seed heads of this plant into wreaths, potpourri, and other decorative items.
- Invasive Species Control: In some regions, Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' is used strategically to outcompete and control invasive plant species due to its vigorous growth.
- Folklore Symbolism: In certain cultures, the flowers of Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' are associated with symbolism related to passion, energy, and transformation.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- assion: The vibrant red and orange hues of Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' symbolize passion and intense emotions.
- Energy: This plant's fiery colors also represent high energy levels and enthusiasm.
- Transformation: The process of the plant growing from bulbs to beautiful flowers can symbolize transformation and growth in one's life.
- Creativity: Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' is associated with creativity and the inspiration to pursue artistic endeavors.
- Courage: The bold and striking appearance of this plant can symbolize courage and the strength to face challenges head-on.
- Determination: The tall, sturdy stems of Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' can be seen as a symbol of determination and resilience.
- Love and Romance: The red flowers of this plant are often associated with love and romantic feelings.
- Vibrancy: Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' symbolizes a zest for life and a lively, dynamic nature.
- Transformation: The process of the plant growing from bulbs to beautiful flowers can symbolize transformation and personal growth.
- Inspiration: The unique beauty of this plant can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation.

💧

Once a week

Water

☀️

20000 - 50000 Lux

Light

💦️

35%

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring

Propogation

✂️️

Late winter - early spring

Pruning

Water
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once a week during the growing season, providing approximately 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
Light
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' thrives in full sun to partial shade. Plant it in a location where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth.
Temperature
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but prefers temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. It can survive temperatures as low as 10°F but may go dormant in colder winter months.
Pruning
Prune Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged foliage and spent flower stalks. Trim the leaves and stems back to the ground to encourage new growth and maintain a tidy appearance.
Cleaning
Not needed
Soil
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' thrives in well-draining soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. A suitable soil mix includes a combination of garden loam, compost, and perlite or sand to ensure good drainage.
Repotting
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' typically does not require frequent repotting. Repot every 2 to 3 years or when the plant becomes overcrowded in its container.
Humidity & Misting
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' does not have specific humidity requirements and can adapt to normal indoor humidity levels.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Grow Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' indoors in a bright location with indirect sunlight. Provide well-draining soil and water as needed.
- Outdoor
  Plant Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' outdoors in a sunny to partially shaded area with well-drained soil. Water regularly during the growing season.
- Hardiness zone
  3-10 USDA
Life cycle
Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' begins its life cycle as a bulb or corm, typically planted in the spring. In late spring to early summer, it emerges from the soil as a cluster of sword-like leaves. During this vegetative stage, the plant focuses on leaf and stem growth, establishing a strong root system.

As the summer progresses, Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' produces tall flower stalks adorned with vibrant red and orange blooms. This is the reproductive stage where pollination occurs, often attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. After flowering, the plant forms seed capsules containing small, dark seeds.

In late summer to early fall, the plant's energy is directed towards seed maturation. Once the seeds are fully developed, they may be dispersed naturally or collected for propagation. In regions with cold winters, the foliage may die back in late fall, entering a dormant phase until the following spring when the cycle begins anew.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring
- Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' can be propagated through division, which is the most popular and effective method. This should be done in the spring when new growth is just starting. Here's how to do it:
  
  Choose a mature and healthy Crocosmia 'Mephistopheles' plant.
  Dig up the entire plant carefully, trying not to damage the corms (bulb-like structures).
  Gently separate the corms, ensuring that each division has healthy roots and shoots.
  Plant the divisions in a new location or containers with well-draining soil.
  Water them thoroughly after planting.
  Keep the newly divided plants consistently moist until they establish themselves, usually within a few weeks.
  
  Propagation through division allows you to create new plants from an established one, ensuring that the new plants inherit the desirable traits of the parent plant.