# Tigridia: Planting, Growing and Caring ## Introduction The Tigridia, also known as the Mexican Shell Flower, is a stunning bulbous plant that produces vibrant, exotic-looking blooms. Native to Mexico and Central America, this eye-catching plant adds a tropical touch to British gardens during the summer months. ## Planting Tigridia ### When to Plant - **Best time**: Plant the bulbs in mid to late spring after the last frost - **Soil temperature**: Wait until soil reaches at least 15°C ### Where to Plant - **Sun exposure**: Full sun (at least 6 hours daily) - **Soil type**: Well-draining, fertile soil - **Ideal locations**: Flower beds, borders, containers ### How to Plant 1. Prepare the soil by mixing in compost or well-rotted manure 2. Plant bulbs 10-15cm deep and 10-15cm apart 3. Position with the pointed end facing upwards 4. Water thoroughly after planting ## Growing Conditions ### Watering - Keep soil consistently moist during growth and flowering - Reduce watering after flowering when foliage begins to yellow ### Feeding - Apply balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks during active growth - Stop feeding when flowers fade ### Temperature - Thrives in warm conditions (18-25°C) - Not frost hardy - lift bulbs in autumn in colder regions ## Care and Maintenance ### Deadheading - Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms - Leave some flowers if you want to collect seeds ### Overwintering In areas with cold winters: 1. Lift bulbs after first frost when foliage dies back 2. Clean and dry bulbs 3. Store in cool (10°C), dry place in peat or vermiculite 4. Replant following spring ### Pests and Diseases - Watch for slugs and snails on young growth - Bulb rot may occur in waterlogged soil ## Propagation - **Division**: Separate offsets from parent bulbs when dormant - **Seeds**: Sow fresh seeds in spring (flowers in 2-3 years) ## Design Tips - Plant in groups for dramatic effect - Combine with other summer-flowering bulbs - Excellent for cut flowers (each bloom lasts just one day but produces many flowers) With their spectacular, short-lived flowers that appear in succession, Tigridias bring an exotic flair to British gardens. Though each individual bloom lasts just a day, the plant produces many flowers over several weeks, creating a stunning display.

Botany

Tigridia is a perennial cormous plant native to Central America (particularly Mexico and Guatemala). It grows in steppes, rocky areas and sandy soils. It has also naturalised in Colombia, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. There are 53 species of Tigridia, but in cultivation we mainly find Tigridia pavonia, which comes in different varieties offering various flower colours and patterns.

Tigridia belongs to the iris family, Iridaceae. This large family includes herbaceous plants that are generally bulbous or rhizomatous, some of which are highly prized in gardens for their colourful and sophisticated flowering: these include irises, crocosmias, gladioli, crocuses, freesias, watsonias and dietes.

Tigridia pavonia: Botanical illustration

The name Tigridia comes from the Latin tigris, alluding to the tiger-like patterns on the flowers. Tigridia pavonia owes its species name to Spanish physician and botanist Joseph Pavon Jimenez, who in the 18^th century took part in an expedition to Central and South America and described many native plants. Pavonia, a plant in the Malvaceae family, was also named in his honour.

Tigridia is rather tender, tolerating only short frosts not dropping below -5 °C. Therefore, except in very mild climates like the Mediterranean region, it’s best to protect the plant in winter by lifting the corms or, if grown in pots, bringing them under cover.

When grown in our climates, tigridias typically reach between 40 and 60 cm in height. In their natural habitat or under optimal growing conditions, they become much taller and can reach up to 1.50 m.

Tigridia flowers in summer, usually in July-August. The flowers are ephemeral, lasting only one day, opening in the morning and fading by evening, but they succeed each other over several weeks.

The flowers are triangular and measure 10 to 15 cm in diameter. They consist of three large, well-developed sepals and three smaller, more discreet sepals arranged alternately. At the centre is a long trifid style (divided into three at the tip) and three stamens. The flowers of the type species (as found in nature) are red with yellow markings. There are different varieties offering a wider colour range: white, yellow, orange, pink… Most often, the throat is tiger-striped with purple, giving great intensity to the flowering. There are exceptions: the variety ‘Alba Immaculata’, for example, has entirely white flowers.

Some Tigridia species have very different flowers, bell-shaped and nodding towards the ground: for example Tigridia meleagris. However, in cultivation we mainly find varieties derived from Tigridia pavonia, with their characteristic triangular flowers.

Tigridia flowers come in different colours: red, pink, yellow, white… Tigridia pavonia (type species), and varieties derived from it: Tigridia pavonia ‘Lilacea’ (photo M0tty), ‘Canariensis’ and ‘Alba Grandiflora’ (photo Uleli)

Tigridia forms clumps of sword-shaped leaves, slender and 20 to 50 cm long. They are pleated lengthwise and arranged in a fan shape, resembling iris foliage. The leaves are mainly basal, but flowering stems may also bear one to three sheathing leaves, shorter than the basal leaves.

Tigridia develops its foliage in spring, flowers in summer, then the leaves dry up in autumn and the plant enters dormancy until the following spring. Like most bulbous plants, Tigridia dislikes moisture during its dormancy period, as this may cause the corms to rot.

Tigridia grows from a corm: this is an underground storage organ very similar to true bulbs, but consisting of a swollen underground stem surrounded by a few dried leaves forming a protective envelope (whereas true bulbs are made up of swollen scales, which are modified leaves). They allow the plant to store minerals and survive the winter underground protected from the cold by entering dormancy. Like Tigridia, several other plants in the Iridaceae family produce corms: crocosmias, gladioli, crocuses, freesias…

The fruit of Tigridia is a capsule that splits into three valves when ripe to release the seeds. In mild climates, it may self-seed in the garden. It’s also possible to collect the seeds for sowing.

The slender, pleated foliage and corms of Tigridia pavonia

The main varieties of Tigridia

Most Popular Varieties

Our Favourite Varieties

Tigridia pavonia Speciosa

This Tigridia bears large triangular carmine-red flowers, marked with yellow. Its vibrant and warm hue is highly appreciated!

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

Tigridia pavonia Alba

This variety offers triangular flowers with pure white sepals, beautifully contrasted by purple maculate at the flower's centre.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 60 cm

See the product sheet

Tigridia pavonia Aurea

Tigridia pavonia ‘Aurea’ bears yellow flowers, speckled with purplish-red at the flower's centre. A particularly luminous flowering!

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

 

Tigridia pavonia Lilacea

This Peacock Flower variety stands out with its original hue: the flowers are pink, with a throat speckled with purple maculate and enhanced by a white border. It would fit perfectly in a romantic garden with white, mauve, and pink tones...

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

Tigridia pavonia Mix

This mix combines different Tigridia varieties: an excellent solution if you wish to create a highly colourful flowerbed with yellow, pink, red, white flowers...

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 45 cm

See the product sheet

Planting Tigridia

Where to Plant?

Tigridia is a plant that thrives in warmth: position it in full sun and sheltered from cold winds. However, if you live in an area like the Mediterranean basin, where sunlight is intense and the climate particularly mild, opt for a partially shaded spot.

In regions with minimal frost risk, such as the Mediterranean, you can plant Tigridia directly in the ground without issue. In cooler areas, you can either plant it outdoors but lift the corms in autumn for winter storage, or grow it in a pot, making it easy to move indoors for winter.

In the wild, Tigridia grows in well-draining, rocky or sandy soils. It dislikes waterlogging, especially in winter, so it requires light, loose, and perfectly drained soil. It also thrives in sunny rockeries. That said, it appreciates fertile soils rich in humus. Regarding pH, Tigridia prefers acidic soils and dislikes lime.

For the best display, we recommend planting in groups rather than singly. Ideally, place at least 10 bulbs together. You can choose a mix combining several Tigridia varieties in different colours.

When to Plant?

Plant Tigridia in spring, between April and May. You can get a head start by planting in pots and initially placing them in a greenhouse or conservatory.

How to Plant?

In the ground:

1. Dig a planting hole and loosen the soil to a depth of about 20 cm.
2. Improve drainage by adding coarse sand or gravel, mixed with planting soil and a little well-rotted compost.
3. Place the corms in the hole, positioning them 10 cm deep and spacing them 10–15 cm apart. Ensure they’re the right way up, with the pointed end facing upwards.
4. Cover with soil and lightly firm down.
5. Water generously.

In pots:

1. Choose a sufficiently large pot with drainage holes. Terracotta pots are ideal—they’re attractive and offer good water and air permeability, aiding drainage.
2. Add a drainage layer at the base (gravel, clay pebbles, broken pottery, etc.).
3. Fill the pot with substrate—for example, a mix of compost, garden soil, and coarse sand.
4. Place the corms 8–10 cm deep.
5. Cover with substrate.
6. Water.
7. Position the pot in a sunny spot sheltered from cold winds.

Tigridia pavonia ‘Canariensis’

Maintenance

Tigridia prefers the soil to remain moist during its growing and flowering period. Don’t hesitate to provide regular watering (once or twice a week) in spring and summer. Be vigilant if growing Tigridia in a pot (especially a terracotta one), as the substrate dries out much faster than in the ground! It will therefore need more frequent watering. Preferably use rainwater, as Tigridia dislikes lime. Reduce and then stop watering in autumn and winter, as the plant is dormant and excess moisture risks rotting the corm.

Don’t worry if after flowering you notice the foliage turning yellow and drying out—this is completely normal. The plant is entering dormancy, storing minerals in its underground parts (corm), and will spend the colder months underground before re-emerging next spring. Do not cut the leaves or dig up the corm until the foliage has completely yellowed.

If growing Tigridia in a pot, we recommend repotting it every spring, using a slightly larger pot each time. This renews the substrate and gives the plant enough space to develop properly.

Overwintering

In the ground, if you live in a very mild climate with little risk of frost, you can leave Tigridia in place. In this case, mark its location with a label, as the foliage dries out after flowering and reappears the following spring. This will prevent accidental damage to the corms if you work in the flowerbed.

If left in the ground over winter, protect it from the cold with a thick layer of mulch. You can also place a protective cover (such as a transparent sheet) over the bulb to shield it from winter rain and moisture.

In autumn, dig up the corms and store them under cover to protect them from cold and winter damp. We recommend placing them in dry sand at around 10°C. You can replant the corms in spring.

If grown in a pot, simply move it under cover in autumn and bring it back out in spring.

Diseases and Pests

Slugs and snails may occasionally nibble on young Tigridia leaves in spring. Protect the plant by using slug pellets or setting up a slug trap. For more advice and information, check out our guide “Slugs: 7 Effective and Natural Ways to Control Them”. Tigridia is also susceptible to diseases transmitted by sap-sucking insects like aphids. The plant may show deformities, necrosis, or discolouration. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and affected plants should be removed to prevent the disease from spreading.

Propagation

The simplest and quickest way to propagate Tigridia is by dividing the corms, but it is also possible to sow the seeds, which allows you to obtain a larger number of young plants.

Sowing

Sowing is carried out in spring. In a mild climate and under favourable conditions, Tigridia may self-seed.

1. Prepare pots by filling them with seed compost. Level the surface and lightly firm it down.
2. Sow the seeds by scattering them on the surface.
3. Do not cover the seeds, as they need light to germinate.
4. Water gently with a fine spray.
5. Place the pots under shelter, in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 20°C.

Ensure the substrate remains slightly moist until germination. Tigridia seeds usually take 2 to 3 weeks to germinate. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle (at least 5 cm tall), you can transplant them into individual pots.

Tigridia plants grown from seed will not flower in the first year, but only from the second or third year onwards.

Dividing clumps

The best time to do this is in late summer or early autumn, when lifting the corms to store them under cover. We recommend dividing Tigridias every three years to rejuvenate the clumps.

1. Carefully dig up the corms, taking care not to damage them.
2. Divide them by removing the bulblets that have formed around the original corm.
3. Replant them in pots with a well-draining substrate, such as a mix of one-third compost, one-third garden soil and one-third coarse sand. They should be planted about 10 cm deep.
4. Cover with substrate and lightly firm down.
5. Water.

Association

Enjoy the vibrant flowering of Tigridia to create an exotic garden. This type of combination is perfect for enhancing the surroundings of a terrace or swimming pool. Pair it with tropical-style flowering plants in warm colours (yellow, orange, red, purple…). You could choose, for example, crocosmias, kniphofias, daylilies and cannas. Discover the stunning Belamcanda chinensis, also known as Leopard Lily, which offers beautiful star-shaped orange flowers speckled with dark red in summer. These will echo the floral patterns of Tigridia! Surround these flowering plants with decorative, lush foliage to create a jungle-like atmosphere! Consider, for example, tetrapanax, gunnera, fatsia, Musa basjoo banana plant, giant hostas… Enjoy the colourful foliage of Phormium ‘Pink Panther’, with its brown, red and coppery tones. Also discover Schefflera taiwaniana, which is hardy down to –12°C! And to give your garden a true jungle feel, don’t hesitate to incorporate a few climbing plants: bignonias, akebias, passionflowers…

Check out our guide “Exotic Garden: All Our Tips for Designing One”, as well as our inspiration page “Exotic Ambience”.

Belamcanda chinensis, Tigridia pavonia ‘Aurea’ (photo peganum), Kniphofia ‘Fiery Fred’, Canna striata, Phormium ‘Pink Panther’ and Tetrapanax papyrifera ‘Rex’

Tigridia is an original and very uncommon plant, so it pairs wonderfully with other rare bulbs, particularly those offering giant, exuberant flowers! Discover, for example, Cardiocrinum giganteum, also known as Giant Himalayan Lily, which produces tall flower spikes bearing 10 to 15 large trumpet-shaped flowers, reaching up to 2 m in height! Also consider Crinum powellii, Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Himalaya’, Galtonia candicans ‘Moonbeam’ and the giant lily ‘Honeymoon’. Discover the striking flowering of Scadoxus multiflorus, with its bright red pom-pom-like blooms. This will give you a bed with an exotic style, filled with botanical curiosities and uncommon flowers!

For more ideas and advice, check out our guide “7 Rare and Original Bulbs”.

Tigridia can also be incorporated into a more traditional yet equally colourful bed, for example with dahlias, coneflowers, yarrows, agastaches, blanket flowers and sneezeweeds. Also consider ornamental grasses to lighten the bed and add a striking graphic effect: you could, for example, incorporate fountain grasses and feather grasses.

Gaillardia aristata ‘SpinTop Orange Halo’, Tigridia pavonia, Achillea ‘Terracotta’, Helenium ‘Morheim Beauty’ (with Digiplexis ‘Illumination Chelsea Gold’ and Achillea ‘Terracotta’), Agastache ‘Kudos Coral’ and Dahlia ‘Seduction’

→ Discover more ideas for pairing Tigridia in our advice guide!