About
A bulbous perennial to 35cm, with one or two lance-shaped leaves with small bumps on the upper surface, and racemes of narrowly bell-shaped, cream or yellowish flowers in late winter and 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, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toSouth Africa (Cape)
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, plant bulbs in a well-drained, peat-free, loam-based compost 10cm deep and grow in full sun. Introduce watering gradually until plants actively growing and then water freely. Reduce watering in autumn and keep dry over winter until growth resumes in spring
PruningRemove old foliage as the plant dies down for the winter
PropagationPropagate by seed sown as soon as ripe at 13-18C (55-64F) or by detaching bulblets in summer or autumn.
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free