The Different Kinds of Fire Lilies

Characteristics

• The fire lily flower is its most vivid characteristic because it is so brilliant, large and eye-catching. Some mixed fire lilies of the Cyrtanthus genus produce showy blossoms that smell sweet and range in color from red to yellow and white. The Lilium bulbiferum fire lily flowers are reddish-orange, with up to five bowl-shaped blooms. Fire lilies are grown from bulbs; Cyrtanthus bulbs are smaller than those of Lilium bulbiferum.

Growing Conditions

• Fire lilies grow well in pots and need well-drained soil. If planted outside, they need a mix of sunshine and light shade and a lot of compost for mulching. Fire lilies are only hardy in USDA Hardiness Zone 10 through Zone 11, where the temperature stays above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Several species of the Cyrtanthus genus thrive and flower only after natural bush fires.

Kinds of Fire Lily

• The fire lily known as Lilium bulbiferum comes from the southern Alps in Europe, growing at a high elevation. It produces distinctive orange-red blossoms, comes from a large bulb and does well indoors in pots. Some consider this species the true lily family. However, "fire lily" can also refer to the large genus Cyrtanthus, which includes about 60 species from South Africa, both winter-growing and summer-growing species. One of the most popular cut flowers is Cyrtanthus elatus, the Scarborough lily, which is a deep scarlet. Other varieties include Cyrtanthus falcatus and Cyrtanthus sanguineus.

Care Tips and Background

• Cyrtanthus fire lilies are perennial. They thrive along stream beds or in dry conditions. Watering depends on the growth habitat; some are evergreen and should be watered year-round. Some Cyrtanthus species only bloom after bush fires In their native South Africa. Cyrtanthus falcatus grows horizontally like a vine, hanging down over cliffs. Fire lilies should be planted in the fall. The plants will go dormant from October through January.