Glory Lily Plant Care
Gloriosa superba L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Gloriosa superba is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae. Common names include flame lily, climbing lily, creeping lily, glory lily, gloriosa lily, tiger claw, and fire lily.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Glory Lily?
Water Glory Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Glory Lily?
Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba) belongs to the Colchicaceae family within the Gloriosa genus. Glory Lily is also known as Flame Lily, Superb Lily, Climbing Lily.
Glory Lily displays a vining, climbing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Glory Lily produces distinctive red and yellow flowers with reflexed petals.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Glory Lily?
Gloriosa superba requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Glory Lily Need?
Glory Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Glory Lily Prefer?
Gloriosa superba grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Glory Lily prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Glory Lily?
Well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Glory Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Glory Lily?
Feed Glory Lily every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Glory Lily?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Glory Lily?
Glory Lily can be propagated through by seeds or tubers.
Is the Glory Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Glory Lily?
Glory Lily is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Glory Lily Need?
Glory Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Glory Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Glory Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Gloriosa genus — compare its care with other Gloriosa species on PlantoScan.
Gloriosa is part of the Colchicaceae plant family — browse all Colchicaceae genera and species.
Glory Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Gloriosa superba L., family Colchicaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 305 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Glory Lily is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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