Overview
Boophone disticha is a plant with a bulbous perennial habit in the genus Boophone, part of the Amaryllidaceae family, with grey-green, wavy-edged leaves foliage. Boophone disticha grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include specimen plant and conservatories.
About
Boophone disticha is a bulbous tropical and subtropical flowering plant, native to Africa. It is commonly called the century plant or tumbleweed.
About the genus
Boophone is a small genus of herbaceous, perennial and bulbous plants in the Amaryllis family It consists of two confirmed species distributed across South Africa to Kenya and Uganda. It is closely related to Crossyne, a genus whose species have prostrate leaves. They are drought tolerant but not cold-hardy, and are very poisonous to livestock.
Wikipedia contributors, "Boophone", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Boophone
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Boophone
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Boophone disticha size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Bulbous perennial
- Foliage
- Grey-green, wavy-edged leaves
- Suggested uses
- Specimen plant, conservatories
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Boophone disticha
- Propagation
- Seed, bulb offsets
- Pest resistance
- Mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites
- Disease resistance
- Fungal diseases
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Boophone disticha?
Boophone disticha prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Boophone disticha need?
Boophone disticha grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Boophone disticha hardy in the UK?
Boophone disticha has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Boophone disticha?
Seed, bulb offsets.