Red Hot Poker Companion Plants: Plants That Grow Well With Red Hot Pokers

Also known as torch plant or red-hot poker lily for very good reason, red hot poker (Kniphofia) is a tough, striking plant that thrives in full sun, dry soil, and scorching temperatures. You may find it challenging to select plants that grow well with red hot pokers, but there is actually a wide range of red-hot poker lily companions. Read on for a few suggestions.

Companion Plants for Red Hot Pokers

Dahlias – Red hot pokers, especially yellow varieties, look great alongside orange dahlias. Cosmos – If you like hot color schemes, imagine red hot poker paired with bright pink cosmos. Daylilies – Bi-color or orange daylilies look great in front of red hot pokers of nearly any color. Heliopsis – Also known as false sunflower, tall heliopsis plants are ideal red hot poker lily companions for that back of the border. Aster – Red hot pokers with vibrant asters provide real pizzazz in the late summer garden. Salvia – Dramatic red-hot pokers are stunning with spiky blue or red salvia, another heat and sun loving plant. Artemisia – The silvery foliage of heat loving Artemisia sets off the vibrant shades of red hot poker to their best advantage. Gaillardia – Commonly known as blanket flower, gaillardia is a vividly colored plant that, like the red-hot poker, thrives in heat and sunlight. Liatris – With its spiky, purple blooms, liatris provides a fascinating contrast with the oranges, reds, and yellow of the red-hot poker. Lamb’s ear – If you’re looking for more subtle red hot poker companion plants, try pairing red hot poker with silvery, soft lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantia). Baptisia – Also known as false indigo (Baptisia australis), this impressive perennial with spiky blooms and blue-green foliage provides a distinctive contrast with the red-hot poker. Ornamental grass – You can’t go wrong with nearly any type of ornamental grass. All make wonderful red hot poker companion plants.