Overview

Bowiea volubilis is a plant with a climbing habit in the genus Bowiea, part of the Asparagaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Bowiea volubilis grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1a. Suggested uses include houseplants. It is native to Angola, Cape Provinces, Free State, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Northern Provinces, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

About

Bowiea volubilis is a climbing plant grown chiefly as a houseplant, valued for its twining habit. It has deciduous foliage and suits a south-facing, sheltered position where it receives full sun. In the UK it flowers in May to June. Best grown in a neutral loam that drains freely.

About the genus

Bowiea, commonly known as climbing-onion, is a genus of extremely poisonous, bulbous, perennial, succulent plants which thrive in dry and desert regions of eastern and southern Africa, ranging from Uganda to South Africa. It is native to a region stretching from Kenya to Cape Province. It is the 14th most commonly sold medicinal plant in South Africa, used to treat various health conditions.

Wikipedia contributors, "Bowiea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Bowiea

In the garden

Bowiea volubilis is a climbing member of the Asparagaceae native to several regions of eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South African provinces. As a cultivated plant in the UK it is typically treated as an indoor specimen or kept in a heated glasshouse because its UK hardiness is H1a (tender). It flowers in May to June. Place Bowiea volubilis where it will get full sun on a south-facing, sheltered aspect; protection from cold winds is important given its tender rating. Use a loam-based growing medium at neutral pH that remains well-drained; a free-draining potting mix or loam amended with grit will reduce the risk of waterlogging. The plant’s climbing habit benefits from a slim support such as a small trellis or wires inside the pot. Treat this species as a houseplant: grown in a bright, sheltered spot it will climb and put energy into seasonal growth before becoming dormant. Because the foliage is deciduous, expect seasonal leaf loss and plan support and placement to suit periods of bare stems and renewed shoots the following growth cycle.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Bowiea

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H1a

Plant details

Bowiea volubilis size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Climbing

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Houseplants

Native to

Angola, Cape Provinces, Free State, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Northern Provinces, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bowiea volubilis

Propagation

Bulb offsets

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions