Perennial

Harlequin flower

Sparaxis tricolor

Harlequin flower (Sparaxis tricolor) is a perennial. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -7 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about CZK 99.

Illustration of Harlequin flower
An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Not winter hardy: the corms freeze outdoors, so treat it like a gladiolus. Plant in spring, from late April to mid May, 5 to 8 cm deep and 8 to 10 cm apart, then lift the corms at the end of summer once the foliage has yellowed and died back, dry and clean them, and store them dry, airy and frost-free until the following spring. It is a South African corm with sword-shaped leaves and vivid three-coloured flowers: red, orange, purple or white petals with a dark ring and a yellow throat, opening in early summer from a spring planting. It needs full sun and sharply drained, preferably sandy soil and rots in wet, heavy ground; water regularly while it grows, taper off after flowering, and let the leaves wither on their own because they build next year's corm. It also does well in pots, which makes overwintering easier.

Watch out for
In Central Europe the corms do not survive winter outdoors and must be lifted and stored frost-free every year. Corms rot in cold, wet soil (Fusarium) and aphids may attack the plants.

Key facts

Light
Full sun
Water need
Medium
Care
High
Size after 10 years
30 cm × 10 cm
Hardiness
down to -7 °C
Foliage
Deciduous

All details

Group Perennial
Light Full sun
Size after 10 years 30 cm × 10 cm
Ultimate size 15–45 cm × 8–20 cm
Hardiness down to -7 °C (USDA 8, RHS H4)
Soil Sandy, Average garden soil
Foliage Deciduous
Flowering June–July, red, orange, purple, yellow, white, pink
Water need Medium
Drought tolerance Medium
Maintenance High
Root aggressiveness Low
Suckering no data
Spreading Low
Distance from buildings no data
Distance from paving no data
Litter not typical
Planting distance 10 cm
For dogs no data
For cats no data
For children no data
Typical price from about CZK 99

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size
Typical price
size not stated approx. CZK 99

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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