Montbretia
Also known as
Crocosmia, Falling stars, Coppertips
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
Get the appAbout Montbretia
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora, widely known as montbretia, is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial in the iris family (Iridaceae) grown from chains of flattened corms. It produces fans of pleated, sword-like leaves and arching stems bearing sprays of funnel-shaped flowers from mid- to late summer. Flower colors range from golden orange to fiery red depending on cultivar, with popular selections such as ‘Lucifer’ prized for bold scarlet spikes. This garden-origin hybrid descends from South African species and is valued for its reliable flowering, graceful form, and excellent cut flowers that last well in arrangements. Plants expand by cormels to form dense clumps over time and can naturalize where conditions suit them. Montbretia thrives in well-drained soil with consistent moisture during active growth and best flowering in full sun. In colder climates, corms benefit from winter mulching or lifting and dry storage. It’s an easy, durable border plant that brings late-season color and movement.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Montbretia
Water
Keep soil evenly moist during spring emergence and through flowering, supplying about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water weekly if rainfall is lacking. Avoid waterlogging, which rots corms—sharp drainage is essential, especially in winter. In containers, water when the top 2–3 cm of mix is dry, then let excess drain freely. Reduce watering as foliage senesces and keep corms relatively dry in dormancy. Resume regular moisture when new shoots appear.
Light
Provide full sun for the strongest stems and most abundant flowers (6+ hours direct light). In hot-summer climates, very light afternoon shade helps preserve bloom and foliage quality. Plants will tolerate partial shade but will lean and flower less. Avoid deep shade and crowded positions that reduce airflow. In containers or small spaces, rotate clumps for even light and stake taller cultivars if grown in slightly shadier sites.
Nutrients
Feed lightly: crocosmia are modest feeders that respond best to a low-nitrogen, higher-phosphorus/potassium bulb fertilizer. Incorporate compost at planting, then apply a granular 4-8-10 or 5-10-10 in early spring as shoots emerge. Container-grown plants can receive a half-strength balanced liquid feed monthly during active growth. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which encourages foliage at the expense of flowers. Do not fertilize once flowering finishes or during dormancy.
Temperature
Hardy outdoors in USDA zones roughly 6–9, with best growth between 15–24°C (60–75°F). In zone 6, mulch well for winter; below this, lift corms after frost, cure, and store dry at 5–10°C (41–50°F) until spring. Protect from prolonged freezing of saturated soils, which increases rot risk. Plant out after danger of hard frost has passed and soil warms. High summer heat is tolerated if soil moisture and afternoon shade are adequate.
