Poor Knights Lily Xeronema callistemon Spring Flowering Plant of the Week

Discover the exquisite beauty of the Poor Knights Lily, scientifically known as Xeronema callistemon. In this video, we explore the rare and striking New Zealand native plant. Learn about some of its unique features, vibrant red flowers, and its intriguing adaptation to its natural habitat. Great for containers

[@Craig-ol2jm]

Is there any particular free-draining soil you would recommend for these plants? Also, would a ceramic pot be better than a plastic one?

[@ianwilsongardendesign2236]

In their natural habitat they grow on the sides of cliffs /coastal - so I think free draining would be good, they apparently can take some neglect as the person I bought my one from had said she had it in a plastic pot for several years and never did anything to it - quite root bound. I do prefer clay pots and the others I have seen growing them have them doing well in medium to large clay/ceramic pots. Hope that helps. One expert on them said if you want them to flower throw some seawater on them once in a while. I'm not doing that just in case I kill it. Good luck :)

[@philippahilliard6711]

I am a big fan of poor knight’s lily and I have 2 huge plants. I am wondering if it is possible to divide them? Thanks for any information.

[@ianwilsongardendesign2236]

Hi Phillipa, Yes, absolutely, you can divide them. I have not done this personally myself, but I have seen a video of this - new plants - need roots and some shoots and then re-pot /re-plant. Generally, the best time to do this is after flowering. Good luck with this - those new plants will be worth a few dollars. I paid $100 for the one seen in the video. I saw some very small ones at Mitre 10 for $25 each - initiation of flowering can take up to 10 years. But it's worth the wait.

[@TC-sm8rc]

These are very hard to grow i am finding, i sewed a few seeds and got about 4 sprout, 3 got eaten by snails sadly and i have the last one in a pot and not doing to well, he's been about 5cms high for 12months or so... maybe i need to re-pot it into a different potting soil mix. I can understand the price point you are paying for them if they rare and hard to grow.

[@ianwilsongardendesign2236]

Good to know never tried growing from seed. I saw some at Mitre 10 for sale they were about 10-15cm tall for $21