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© Juan Carlos Aparicio Aparicio, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Tigridia pavonia
Mexican shell flower
Mexico (Jalisco, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Veracruz) and Guatemala; open hillsides and pine-oak woodland, 5,000-9,000 feet (1,500-2,700 m)
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Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
8 - 10These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →Frost Tolerancetender
Overview
Tigridia pavonia is the Mexican shell flower (peacock flower), a cormous perennial growing 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) wide. Flowers 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) across with three large outer tepals in solid yellow, orange, red, pink, or white and a deeply cupped central cup heavily spotted and blotched in contrasting red, purple, or brown from July through September. Each flower lasts one day, but 4-8 buds per stem provide 3-5 weeks of bloom. Bright green sword-like pleated foliage 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) in a flat fan arrangement. In the iris family (Iridaceae). The genus name means 'tiger-like' (Latin tigris), referencing the spotted central cup. The species name 'pavonia' references the peacock (Pavo). Approximately 55 species in the genus, all from the Americas. Grows from a corm. Lift corms in zones 5-7 after the first frost and store dry at 45-50°F (7-10°C). In zones 8+, mulch and leave in ground. Stagger planting every 2 weeks for extended display. Not deer-resistant. Mildly toxic to dogs and cats. Consistent moisture during the growing season. Full sun. Native. Zones 8-10 (lift elsewhere). Growth rate is fast.
Native Range
Native to Mexico (Jalisco, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Veracruz) and Guatemala, growing on open hillsides and in pine-oak woodland at 5,000-9,000 feet (1,500-2,700 m).Suggested Uses
Planted in borders and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). The spotted central cup and the solid outer tepals. Each flower lasts one day — stagger planting. Lift corms in zones below 8. Not deer-resistant. Mildly toxic to pets. Native.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread6" - 9"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Summer to fall (July-September), 4-8 buds per stem over 3-5 weeks. Each flower lasts one day. Stagger planting for extended display. Lift corms after frost in zones below 8.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Three large outer tepals in solid yellow, orange, red, pink, or white; deeply cupped central cup heavily spotted and blotched red, purple, or brown; 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) across; each flower lasts one dayFoliage Description
Bright green, sword-like, pleated, 12-18 inches (30-45 cm), in a flat fan arrangement (equitant)Growing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun. Well-drained soil. Consistent moisture during the growing season. Lift corms in zones 5-7 after frost; store at 45-50 degrees F (7-10 degrees C). Stagger planting for extended bloom. Not deer-resistant. Mildly toxic to pets. Zones 8-10 (lift elsewhere). Native.Pruning
Remove spent flower stems as buds finish. Allow foliage to die back naturally in fall (October-November) before lifting corms. In zones 8+, cut dead foliage to the ground after frost and mulch.Pruning Schedule
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F
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M
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fall
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons