About
A summer-dormant bulbous perennial, to 25cm tall, with strap-shaped leaves and erect spikes of tubular white and pink-purple flowers on sturdy, purple-spotted stems from late winter to spring.
About the genus
Lachenalia are bulbous perennials with strap-shaped, sometimes dark-spotted leaves, and erect stems bearing racemes or spikes of tubular flowers, slightly fragrant in some species, in autumn, winter or early spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toSouth Africa (Cape)
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, plant bulbs close together in a well-drained, peat-free, loam-based compost and grow in full sun. Introduce watering gradually in autumn until plants are actively growing and then water freely. Reduce watering in spring and keep dry over summer until growth resumes in autumn
PruningRemove old foliage as the plant dies down for the summer
PropagationPropagate from seed (indoors) sown as soon as ripe at 13-18°C, by detaching bulblets in summer or autumn, or by leaf cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free