Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl) Tigridia pavonia
Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl) (Tigridia pavonia) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Iridaceae family, native to Mexico and Guatemala. It grows 40–60 cm (16–24 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
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Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Iridaceae |
| Mature height | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: corms (roasted) |
| Native to | Mexico and Guatemala |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
The corms were roasted and eaten by the Aztecs; no poisoning reported.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl)
- How far apart should I plant Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl)?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl)?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl) flower?
- From about July for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. The corms were roasted and eaten by the Aztecs; no poisoning reported.
- What grows well with Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tiger flower (Mexican shell flower, cacomitl). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Three big outer petals (red, orange, yellow, pink or white) around a cup spotted like a jaguar; each flower lasts a single day. Corms are lifted and stored dry over winter in cold climates.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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