About

Dierama, the African hairbells or wandflowers, are graceful, evergreen, clump-forming cormous perennials from South Africa with long, narrow, grass-like leaves and slender, arching stems bearing nodding, bell-shaped flowers in pink, mauve, purple or white in summer � one of the most graceful and distinctive of all summer-flowering bulbs.

About the genus

Dierama, the wandflowers or African hairbells, are evergreen, clump-forming cormous perennials with long, narrow leaves and slender, arching stems bearing nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, mauve, purple or white in summer. Among the most graceful of all South African garden plants.

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B

Plant details

Plant typeFerns
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toOld World Tropics

Care notes

CultivationGrow under glass in moist but well-drained, humus-rich compost in bright, filtered light with high humidity. See how to grow ferns as houseplants for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by spores or by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free