Plant care
Glory of the Suntemperature & humidity
Leucocoryne ixioides
More about glory of the sun
Ideal temperature for glory of the sun
Temperature kills fewer glory of the sun plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at 2°C to 25°C; optimal 10–18°C during growth (36°F to 77°F; optimal 50–64°F during growth) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly 2°C growth pauses; cold beyond that pushes it into dormancy rather than killing it outright.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Glory of the Sun is comparatively hardy (USDA 9-11, RHS H3). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for glory of the sun
Glory of the Sun sits happiest at around Low to moderate — 30–50% relative humidity. Adapted to the dry summer Mediterranean climate of central Chile. High humidity during dormancy rapidly causes bulb rot. Grow in freely ventilated, low-humidity conditions; cool greenhouse cultivation with open vents is far preferable to outdoor planting in the humid UK. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Glory of the Sun temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for glory of the sun?
Glory of the Sun grows best between 2°C to 25°C; optimal 10–18°C during growth (36°F to 77°F; optimal 50–64°F during growth). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can glory of the sun tolerate?
Glory of the Sun starts to suffer below roughly 2°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA 9-11, but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does glory of the sun need?
Glory of the Sun prefers about Low to moderate — 30–50% relative humidity. Adapted to the dry summer Mediterranean climate of central Chile. High humidity during dormancy rapidly causes bulb rot. Grow in freely ventilated, low-humidity conditions; cool greenhouse cultivation with open vents is far preferable to outdoor planting in the humid UK.
How do I raise humidity for glory of the sun?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can glory of the sun live outside?
Glory of the Sun is rated for USDA zone 9-11 and RHS hardiness H3. Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More glory of the sun care
In the UK? Keeping glory of the sun warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full glory of the sun care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.