Facts About the Glory Lily

Known in Hindi as Kalihari, the glory lily (Gloriosa superba L.) is a vine that blossoms with exotic, patterned flowers. It thrives in U..S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 8 through 9, though you can grow it in other zones if you bring the tuberous roots indoors during the winter. The glory lily's offbeat look makes it a graceful addition to a home or tropical garden, but you should consider all of its characteristics before planting it.

Fun Facts

Glory lilies grow in many parts of tropical Africa and Asia, especially India. Though Ayurveda and Yunani medicine traditions say that glory lilies have medicinal value, all parts of these plants are toxic. This makes them dangerous plants to have in a house or garden with young children or pets. They are considered perennial herbs and climbing vines, with tendrils on the ends of the leaves that allow them to attach themselves to support structures as they climb.


Glory lilies climb for 5 feet or more, with leaves that are 4-to-5 inches long but less than an inch wide. The flowers are about half as long as the leaves. The flower petals, wavy on the edges, tend to start yellow near the vine, then become a flaming red closer to the outer edges.

General Care

Glory lilies appreciate fertile soil rich in humus. You can plant them in a sunny spot in February, giving them time to settle before their summer blooming period. Because their stems are fragile, it's smart to plant them in a site protected from strong winds and weather. During the growing season, glory lilies need regular watering so the soil doesn't dry out -- though you shouldn't let the soil become soggy because this can lead to root rot

Storing Bulbs

Because glory lilies have tender, tuberous roots that can't always survive plunging winter temperatures, you should bring them inside for winter if you worry about even the occasional freezing night. To do this, you'll need to wait for a winter frost to kill the foliage, then loosen the soil around the roots and gently lift the plant from its position. The soil needs to be rinsed from the roots. Once the tuberous roots have had several days to dry in a ventilated area that is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, you can dust them with an insecticide-fungicide if you have pests in your garden. At this point, the roots are ready for winter storage, preferably in a bag with holes or in a pot or box covered with peat moss. After two months in storage between at a temperature between 40 and 50 degrees, you can replant them in an indoor environment to prepare them for spring growth again.


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