Agapanthus africanus
Agapanthus lily
Common names: African lily
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Pot size
- from 20 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- Jun–Aug
- Hardiness
- Frost-sensitive
Photo: Nick Helme · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The Agapanthus lily displays spherical, blue‑violet or white flower spikes on tall stems, adding a Mediterranean flair to terraces and balconies. It forms dense clumps of strap‑shaped leaves and becomes a striking focal point in midsummer. Note that many plants sold as Agapanthus africanus are actually more robust cultivars or hybrids of Agapanthus praecox or Agapanthus campanulatus; the true wild species is rare and difficult to find in commerce.
Care instructions
Place the plant in a full‑sun, sheltered spot, more sun yields fuller blooms. Water regularly and abundantly in summer, but never allow the soil to stay permanently wet. From October, bring it indoors to a frost‑free area (0 to 8 °C) and water sparingly until spring. Every few years, divide the clumps during spring repotting; wear gloves, as the sap can irritate skin.
Garden year
FloweringJun–Aug
Soil & site
Companion planting
Good neighbors
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Umbellifers and alliums confuse each other's pests (carrot fly, onion fly).
For example CarrotCeleriacDillParsleyFlorence fennelCoriander and 21 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
rose family (Rosaceae)
You can plant garlic and chives under strawberries and roses; their scent repels aphids and other pests.
For example StrawberryAppleRaspberryClimbing rosePearAronia and 59 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed Culture Practice
Rather not
legume family (Fabaceae)
particularly well establishedAllium species inhibit the nitrogen‑fixing rhizobia of legumes through their root exudates, which slows their growth.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanSnow peaWrinkled pea and 36 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop‑rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Agapanthus lily yourself
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