Plant guide
Red hot poker
Kniphofia uvaria
Red hot poker is considered non-toxic to cats. Its upright flower spikes can add warm color to a sunny border. Despite the name torch lily, it is not a true lily.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Kniphofia uvaria only. Check the botanical name; a photo cannot establish the identity of your plant.
Photo:
Photo details
Kniphofia uvaria — Kniphofia uvaria flowers
By Kathleen Moore
License: CC BY 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
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Photo:
Photo details
Kniphofia uvaria — Kniphofia uvaria flowers
By Kathleen Moore
License: CC BY 2.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
Red hot poker bare roots
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Kniphofia uvaria and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Kniphofia uvaria
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Kniphofia uvaria only. Check the botanical name; a photo cannot establish the identity of your plant.
- Light
- Sunny position
Full sun.
- Watering
Provide moderate moisture with good drainage.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
Protect from harsh winter exposure; no indoor range proposed.
- Humidity
No specific humidity target established.
- Potting
- Average to sandy, humus-rich soil; avoid wet, heavy soil.
- Through the year
- Remove spent flower spikes. Leave established clumps undisturbed unless division is needed.
Growing-guide sources
- Kniphofia uvaria ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
Kniphofia uvaria only. Check the botanical name; a photo cannot establish the identity of your plant.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-17. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Red hot poker: source assessment ↗Veterinary Poisons Information Service · Accessed
Listed by the source as Kniphofia species. VPIS lists Kniphofia species; NC State identifies K. uvaria. Keep this separate from Lilium and Hemerocallis, which have their own toxic-plant guides.
- Kniphofia uvaria ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-16
- Red hot poker: source assessment ↗Veterinary Poisons Information Service · Accessed 2026-10-16
Safety last reviewed .