Botanical Name: Kniphofia uvaria ‘Mango Popsicle’

Common Name: Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 6–9)

Size: 16–20" Tall × 16–20" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Upright, Clumping Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun (Best Flowering)

Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Lean or Sandy Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Summer

Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Features: Mango-Orange Flower Spikes, Compact Size, Excellent Heat Tolerance, Hummingbird Friendly

Uses: Borders, Containers, Pollinator Gardens, Mass Plantings, Accent Plantings

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Kniphofia Growth & Care Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Kniphofia ‘Mango Popsicle’

Kniphofia ‘Mango Popsicle’ is a compact red hot poker prized for its warm mango-orange flower spikes that bring tropical color to sunny gardens. The blooms rise above tidy clumps of grassy foliage, creating strong vertical interest without the oversized scale of traditional kniphofia.

As part of the Popsicle™ series, this variety was bred for smaller size, improved rebloom, and better garden control. It fits easily into modern landscapes and containers while still delivering the bold color and wildlife appeal kniphofia is known for.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Mango Popsicle’ has been exceptionally reliable in full sun with excellent drainage. It maintains a compact, upright form, resists flopping, and continues blooming through summer heat with minimal care.

We especially appreciate its versatility. It works beautifully in containers, front-to-mid border plantings, and pollinator gardens where its bright color draws hummingbirds and butterflies. Compared to taller Kniphofia, it’s far easier to place and maintain.

Mango Popsicle vs. Other Kniphofia

Mango Popsicle maintains a noticeably smaller, neater habit that works especially well in containers and limited garden spaces. Older, more sprawling Red Hot Poker varieties, such as Flamenco Mix are better suited for dramatic placement at the rear of planting beds, Mango Popsicle excels where space is at a premium.

Within the Popsicle series, Mango is distinguished by its softer, warmer coloration, offering a more subtle look than the brighter, more tropical tones of Papaya Popsicle. Its gentle hues blend effortlessly with yellow flowers, red accents, and ornamental grasses, making it easier to integrate into mixed plantings. For gardeners seeking a compact, heat-tolerant Kniphofia with strong pollinator appeal and a slightly more refined color palette, ‘Mango Popsicle’ remains a standout choice.