Agapanthus africanus (African lily) – Flowering plants

Agapanthus africanus (African lily) is an evergreen flowering bulb growing to 1 m by 0.5 m at a medium rate. It has a short stem bearing a tuft of long, narrow, arching leaves 10–35 cm long and 1–2 cm broad, and a central flower stalk 25–60 cm tall, ending in an umbel of 20-30 white, or bright blue, funnel-shaped flowers, each flower 2.5–5 cm diameter. Blooms in summer.

Medicinal Benefits:

• The roots are cardiac and stomachic. They are used in the treatment of heart troubles and intestinal pain.

Scientific classification:

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Agapanthoideae
Genus: Agapanthus
Species: A. africanus

Scientific Name: Agapanthus africanus
Synonyms: Abumon africanum, Agapanthus minor, Agapanthus tuberosus, Agapanthus umbellatus, Crinum africanum, Crinum floridum, Mauhlia africana, Mauhlia linearis, Mauhlia umbellata, Tulbaghia africana, Tulbaghia heisteri, Tulbaghia minor.
Common Names: African lily

How to grow and maintain Agapanthus africanus (African lily):

Light:
African lilies thrive best in full sunlight. If you don’t get many blossoms, move your plant to a sunnier area. Moving your plant outside for the summer will give it the daylight it needs.

Temperature:
It prefers an average room temperature 65°F – 75°F / 18°C – 24°C. If you scoot your container to the patio or porch for the summer, don’t worry it can take the heat. But bring it back indoors when the temperature drops. These tender perennials will only tolerate as low as 50°F/10°C.

Soil:
Well-drained soils are needed to prevent root rot. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.

Water:
Agapanthus plants are drought-tolerant, they bloom much better when the soil is kept moist during the summer months and into early autumn. Too much water during the winter will rot them.

Humidity:
It prefers to maintain 40-50% relative humidity. Use a room humidifier for best results.

Fertilizer:
Feed once a month in spring and summer with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagate:
It can be easily propagated by the division to acquire plants identical to the parent plant, this is best done between spring and early summer. Avoid splitting plants too often as this will reduce flowering. Large clumps in the border should be lifted in spring every 4  – 6 years and replanted. Sow African lily seeds in spring. Plants grown from seed may take 2 to 3 years to flower.

Pests and diseases:
This plant does not suffer from any major pests or diseases. An occasional mealy bug can be a problem, but a systemic insecticide normally offers a quick cure for these.