Sword Lily Gladiolus 'Nova Lux' (L)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Gladiolus 'Nova Lux' is a striking perennial plant known for its showy flowers and sword-like foliage. This gladiolus variety boasts tall flower spikes adorned with numerous blooms. The flowers themselves are a dazzling display of color with each blossom typically showcasing a blend of yellow and orange hues that create a gradient effect, almost like a sunset. The blooms are arranged in a double row along one side of the stem, and their shape is reminiscent of trumpets or funnels. The foliage of Gladiolus 'Nova Lux' complements its vibrant flowers. Each plant features narrow leaves that are erect and pointed, much like blades of a sword. They are a deep green color, creating a beautiful backdrop that makes the fiery tones of the blooms stand out even more. When in bloom, this gladiolus variant can add an eye-catching element to any garden or floral display with its vivid colors and flamboyant appearance.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Sword Lily, Gladiolus, Glads
- Common names
  Gladiolus 'Nova Lux'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant known as gladiolus, including the variety 'Nova Lux', is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, they are known to contain compounds that can cause mild irritation if ingested. If someone eats parts of a gladiolus plant, they may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or throat irritation. The severity of symptoms typically depends on the amount consumed. It is generally advisable to avoid eating this ornamental plant.
- To pets
  For pets, gladiolus can be more problematic. The corms, or bulbs, of gladiolus plants are known to contain certain compounds that can cause issues if ingested by animals such as dogs or cats. Symptoms of gladiolus poisoning in pets might include salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, or diarrhea. In severe cases, if a large amount of the bulb is eaten, it can potentially lead to convulsions or liver damage. Thus, it is important to keep gladiolus plants out of reach of pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  4 feet (1.22 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.3 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  8
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: Adds striking visual interest to gardens and landscapes with its tall spikes of colorful flowers.
- Cut Flower Use: Ideal for fresh floral arrangements due to its long vase life and beautiful blossoms.
- Attracts Pollinators: Draws in beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, enhancing pollination in the garden.
- Versatile Landscaping: Can be planted in borders, flower beds, and containers for varied design applications.
- Breeding Potential: Provides genetic material for breeding new varieties with diverse colors and patterns.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers a splash of color in the summer when many other plants have finished blooming.
- Ease of Propagation: Can be easily propagated through corms, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, can tolerate periods of low water, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
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 Arrangements: The Gladiolus 'Nova Lux' is a popular choice for creating vibrant and tall floral displays, notably for events and ceremonies due to its striking appearance.
- Eco-friendly Dye: The petals of the gladiolus can be used to produce a natural dye for fabrics, giving them a soft range of colors depending on the treatment and mordants used.
- Ink Making: Similar to dyes, the pigment from gladiolus petals can be used to create natural inks for art or writing purposes.
- Garden Borders: With its upright growth habit, gladiolus can provide an ideal living border to garden pathways or sections, defining spaces with color and form.
- Edible Decoration: The blooms of the gladiolus can be used as edible decorations for cakes and dishes after ensuring they are free from pesticides and other chemicals.
- Potpourri Ingredient: Dried gladiolus flowers can contribute color and a mild scent to homemade potpourri mixtures.
- Teaching Tool: The gladiolus is sometimes used in educational settings to teach about botany and plant anatomy because of its distinct flower structure.
- Photography Subject: Due to their dramatic look, Gladiolus 'Nova Lux' flowers are often chosen by photographers as a subject for botanical photography.
- Craft Material: The sturdy stems and vibrant flowers of the gladiolus are sometimes incorporated into various arts and crafts, such as making flower crowns or floral art pieces.
- Composting Ingredient: Once spent, gladiolus plants can contribute to compost bins as a source of green matter, helping to create nutrient-rich soil for future gardening endeavors.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Gladiolus is used in Feng Shui to enhance the energy of strength, integrity, and moral courage. It is recommended to place Gladiolus in the South area of a home or garden to attract fame and recognition, or in the personal growth area of your space, often tied to the East sector, to promote self-improvement and transformation.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Gladiolus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Strength of Character: The name Gladiolus comes from the Latin word "gladius", meaning sword, symbolizing strength and moral integrity.
- Remembrance: Gladiolus blooms are often used to commemorate someone's life and are associated with remembrance.
- Infatuation: Giving someone a bouquet of Gladiolus can signify being struck by love at first sight or infatuation with the recipient.
- Honor and Faithfulness: The tall and stately form of the Gladiolus reflects honor and a promise of faithfulness.
- Victory: Gladiolus is known as the flower of the gladiators, related to triumph and winning battles, making it a symbol of victory.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
For Gladiolus 'Nova Lux', also known as the sword lily, regular watering during the growing season is key to maintaining its health and ensuring a good display of flowers. Water the plant deeply once or twice a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During periods of rainfall, reduce the frequency of watering to prevent overwatering. It's important to water the base of the plant and avoid wetting the foliage to discourage diseases. As the plants start to die back at the end of the season, gradually reduce watering.
Light
Gladiolus 'Nova Lux' or sword lily prefers full sun conditions to thrive. The best spot for planting is in an area that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid placing them in shaded areas, as too little light can lead to weak stems and poor flowering. Ensure they have plenty of light to produce strong, healthy blooms.
Temperature
For the Gladiolus 'Nova Lux' or sword lily, the best temperature range for optimal growth is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 35 degrees Fahrenheit, great care should be taken to protect them from frost. During their growing season, maintaining a temperature within this range will promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
Pruning
Pruning of the Gladiolus 'Nova Lux', or sword lily, involves removing spent flower stalks and yellowing foliage to redirect energy back to the plant for next season's growth. It's best to prune once the flowers have faded and the foliage begins to die back, typically in late summer or early fall. Cut the stalks close to the ground and discard; do this throughout the blooming period as well, whenever a stalk has finished flowering.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Gladiolus, commonly known as "Glads," thrive best in a well-draining, sandy loam soil with a pH of around 6.5 to 7. A mixture of two parts loam, one part sand, and one part compost or well-rotted manure will create a nutrient-rich mix that allows good drainage and aeration for the bulbs.
Repotting
Gladiolus are not regularly repotted as they are perennial bulbs; instead, they are lifted annually after the foliage has died back. After lifting, the corms are stored during winter and replanted in the spring.
Humidity & Misting
Gladiolus prefers moderate humidity conditions, and while they can tolerate a range of humidity levels, it's best to avoid extremely high humidity to prevent bulb rot and fungal diseases.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, well-draining soil, and moderate watering.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, and water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  7-10 USDA
Life cycle
Gladiolus 'Nova Lux' begins its life cycle when the corm (a bulb-like storage organ) is planted in well-drained soil in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. The corm sprouts and develops into a tall, sword-shaped foliage, followed by the emergence of a flower spike adorned with multiple trumpet-shaped flowers, typically blooming in mid-summer. After flowering, the plant focuses on photosynthesis and the storage of energy in the corm for the next season. As temperatures cool and days shorten, the foliage yellows and dies back, signaling the plant's entry into dormancy. Over winter, the corm remains dormant underground until favorable conditions return in the following spring. To complete the life cycle, the plant may produce new, smaller corms (cormlets) beside the original corm, which can be separated and planted to propagate new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The most popular method of propagation for the Gladiolus 'Nova Lux', commonly known as Gladiolus, is through its corms. The best time for this is in the spring, after the threat of frost has passed and when soil temperatures have warmed to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 13 degrees Celsius). The corms, which are the swollen stem bases, can be planted in well-draining soil at a depth of about 4 inches (10 centimeters). Gardeners should space them roughly 6 inches (15 centimeters) apart to allow enough room for growth. In well-suited climates, the corms will then sprout and develop into full plants, blooming in the summer months. After the blooming season and once the foliage has died back, the corms can be dug up, dried, and stored for planting in the following year.