Gladiolus
Gladiolus communis subsp. byzantinus
Also called Sword lily, Gladioli and Byzantine gladiolus
Garden plant · BulbsStake it the day you plant it. A gladiolus in flower is top-heavy on a shallow corm and the first summer squall lays the whole row flat.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 6 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 21 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a cold winter RHS H5, to -15°C
- Size
- 0.75 m tall · 0.08 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- The Mediterranean
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.