About
Albuca nelsonii is a robust perennial characterized by its elongated, succulent leaves that can reach lengths of up to 1.2 meters. It produces thick, upright flower stalks that can grow as tall as 1.5 meters. During the late spring and early summer, these stems are adorned with numerous upright flowers displaying green and white hues.
About the genus
Albuca is a genus of bulbous perennials characterized by their linear or narrowly lanceolate leaves. These plants produce loose racemes of flowers, typically in yellow or white, featuring three tepals that spread outward and three that create a tubular shape. The reverse side of each tepal is frequently adorned with green or brown markings.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- South Africa
- Toxicity
- Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten, skin irritant - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows best under glass in containers of peat-free John Innes No 2 potting compost with added sharp sand and leafmould. A position in full light is ideal. Water moderately when the bulbs are in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. When dormant, keep bulbs dry
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate from seed (indoors) sown as soon as ripe, or remove offsets when dormant
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free