About
Rhodohypoxis milloides, the pink star grass, is a low-growing, clump-forming perennial to 15 cm with upright, narrow, keeled and folded leaves to 17 cm long. Six-petalled, star-shaped flowers in dark red, dark pink or white up to 3.5 cm across are produced over a long period in summer. A rewarding and floriferous plant for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or alpine trough.
About the genus
Rhodohypoxis are small, clump-forming herbaceous perennials from South Africa with tufts of hairy, narrowly lance-shaped leaves and solitary, star-shaped, white, pink, red or purple flowers in summer. Popular and easy-care plants for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or alpine trough.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toSouth Africa, Lesotho
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained, moderately fertile, humus-rich, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet; can be grown in pots in an alpine house
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in pots as soon as ripe or in spring, germinate at 6-12°C. Propagate by division in late autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mite and thrips when grown under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free