Gladiolus Gladiolus 'Nymph' (N)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Gladiolus 'Nymph' is a striking and elegant flowering plant with a noticeable appearance. Its most prominent feature is the tall, upright flower spikes that boast a series of large, flared blossoms. The flowers are characterized by their delicate, ruffled edges and soft, creamy white color. Each bloom is adorned with a striking, deep pink to red throat, which adds a dramatic contrast to the otherwise pristine petals. The leaves are slender and sword-like, forming a vertical fan-like shape that complements the vertical nature of the flower spikes. As a whole, Gladiolus 'Nymph' exudes a classic and refined aesthetic, with its flowers making it a favorite for cutting gardens and floral arrangements. The plant's overall appearance is one of grace and a statuesque form, contributing to its popularity in ornamental gardening.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae.
- Synonyms
  Garden Gladiolus, Sword Lily, Glads.
- Common names
  Gladiolus 'Nymph'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Gladiolus 'Nymph', commonly known as gladiolus, is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, if ingested, the corms (bulb-like structures) can potentially cause mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Ingesting large quantities could result in more severe digestive upset, but these instances are rare. Contact with the plant's sap may occasionally cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- To pets
  The Gladiolus 'Nymph', commonly referred to as gladiolus, is toxic to pets, particularly cats and dogs. If ingested, it can cause symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in severe cases, an abnormal heart rate or convulsions. The toxicity is mainly due to the presence of substances in the corms that can be harmful once chewed or swallowed. Pet owners should seek veterinary care immediately if they suspect their pet has ingested any part of a gladiolus plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  2-5 feet (60-150 cm)
- Spread
  6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  7-10
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Enhances Garden Aesthetics: Nymph adds a touch of elegance and height to garden beds with its striking, tall flower spikes.
- Attracts Pollinators: The vibrant blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, supporting biodiversity.
- Versatile Cut Flowers: The long stems and beautiful blooms make Nymph an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements, adding beauty indoors.
- Color Variety: Nymph offers a range of colors that can complement any garden palette, making it a versatile choice for various design schemes.
- Easy to Grow: With proper care, Nymph is relatively easy to cultivate, making it suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Seasonal Interest: Blooming in late spring to summer, Nymph provides seasonal interest and color when many other plants have finished flowering.
- Space Efficiency: Due to its vertical growth habit, Nymph is an excellent option for gardens with limited horizontal space.
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
- Decorative artwork: The striking colors and patterns of gladiolus petals can be used in pressed flower art, encapsulating their beauty in glass frames or mixed-media artwork.
- Symbolic gifts: Given their association with strength and integrity, gladiolus flowers are often used to represent these values when gifted, making a meaningful statement beyond their aesthetic appeal.
- Educational tools: Gladiolus flowers can be used in botany classes to teach students about plant structure, reproduction, and hybridization due to their distinctive features.
- Floral crafts: The long stems and vibrant blooms of gladiolus are ideal for creating floral crowns, wreaths, and other crafts for festivals or decorations.
- Dye source: The petals of gladiolus can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering a range of colors dependent on the specific variety used.
- Bookmarks: Dried gladiolus flowers make unique and beautiful bookmarks, especially when placed within clear, laminated sheets.
- Gourmet presentations: Certain varieties of gladiolus are not only non-toxic but also can add an exotic touch to culinary presentations as a garnish, although they are generally not consumed.
- Perfumery: While not commonly used for their scent, the essence of some gladiolus flowers can be incorporated into custom perfumes or aromatherapy formulations.
- Photography subjects: The intricate patterns and vibrant colors of gladiolus make them excellent subjects for botanical photography and macro imagery.
- Garden design: Gladiolus can be used as natural fencing or to create vertical accents in garden beds, adding structure and height to landscape designs.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Gladiolus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Gladiolus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Strength of Character - The gladiolus, deriving its name from the Latin word 'gladius' meaning sword, has long been associated with strength and moral integrity.
- Remembrance - This flower is often used to commemorate the memory of a loved one, symbolizing the persistence of memory and the importance of remembrance.
- Infatuation - Gifting someone a gladiolus can also represent infatuation or admiration, suggesting that the giver's heart is "pierced" with affection.
- Honor and Faithfulness - The Gladiolus is frequently chosen for events that celebrate honor and faithfulness like commemorations or anniversaries.
- Victory - In the context of gladiators in ancient Rome, the gladiolus stands for victory and recognition of a fighter's prowess.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Sword Lilies should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. Make sure to water the plant at its base and avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent disease. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water twice a week. Always check the top inch of soil before watering; if it feels dry, it's time to water. It’s best to provide the equivalent of 1 gallon of water per square foot every week.
Light
Sword Lilies thrive in full sun conditions, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. They perform best when planted in a spot that receives morning sunlight and some partial shade during the hottest part of the afternoon. Avoid overly shaded areas, as this can lead to weak growth and fewer blooms.
Temperature
Sword Lilies prefer warm temperatures and are hardy in temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit, but they should not be exposed to frost. Their ideal growing temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They may not survive in temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit without adequate water and shade.
Pruning
Pruning Sword Lilies involves removing spent flower spikes to encourage additional blooms and to keep the plant looking tidy. Prune dead or fading flowers as soon as they wilt to direct the plant's energy into bulb growth. The best time for pruning is after the plant has finished flowering, typically in late summer or early fall.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for Sword Lily (Gladiolus 'Nymph') should be well-draining with a high content of organic matter, such as a blend of loamy soil, peat moss, and perlite or sand for aeration. The optimal pH level for the Sword Lily is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
Repotting
Sword Lilies should not be regularly repotted as they are typically grown from corms that are planted annually. Instead of repotting, plant fresh corms each spring after the last frost date in your area.
Humidity & Misting
Sword Lily thrives in moderate humidity conditions but does not require any special humidity adjustments. Average room humidity is generally sufficient for its healthy growth.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Use bright indirect light, well-draining soil, and pots with drainage.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, water deeply, and provide mulch.
- Hardiness zone
  7-10 USDA
Life cycle
Gladiolus 'Nymph' begins its life cycle as a corm, a type of bulb, which is planted in well-draining soil in the spring after the threat of frost has passed. As temperatures warm, the corm sends out shoots and roots, developing into a green, sword-like foliage. Over time, a tall flower spike emerges among the leaves, upon which multiple trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in succession from the bottom up, typically in the mid to late summer. After flowering, the plant goes through a period of photosynthesis, storing energy back in the corm for the next growing season. Once the foliage yellows and dies back in late summer or fall, the corm can be dug up, dried, and stored in a cool, dry place over winter. In the following spring, the stored corm can be replanted, completing the cycle and starting it anew.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to summer
- The most popular method of propagating a Gladiolus 'Nymph' is through dividing the corms, which are the bulb-like storage organs at the base of the plant. This is usually done in the spring as the temperatures start to warm up. Gardeners should dig up the corms, gently brush off the soil, and look for cormlets — small, new corms that have developed on the base of the original corm. These cormlets can be detached and planted in well-draining soil at a depth of about 4 inches (approximately 10 cm). It's important to allow the cormlets to dry for a few days before planting to prevent rot. The newly planted cormlets should then be watered sparingly until growth is observed, after which they can be watered regularly.