About
The commercial vanilla plant, a robust, scrambling, tropical epiphytic climber with succulent, oval, bright green leaves and racemes of large, greenish-yellow flowers followed by long, cylindrical, fragrant seed pods, the source of natural vanilla flavouring. Grown commercially in tropical regions and as an ornamental climber in warm glasshouses.
About the genus
Veltheimia are bulbous perennials with strap-shaped leaves and stout stems each bearing a terminal raceme of nodding, tubular flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Houseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toS Africa (Cape)
Care notes
CultivationBest container grown in a loam-based compost with added sharp sand and in full sun. Grow under glass but can be placed outside in warm weather. Re-pot only when congested to avoid root disturbance; plant in autumn with neck of bulb just above soil surface. Water freely when in growth and apply a low bitrogen liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Keep just moist when dormant. Needs protection from frost and low temperatures
PruningCut back flowers as they fade
PropagationPropagate by seed in autumn or offsets in late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free