Veltheimia capensis

RHS Plant Profile

sand lily

RHS 2003

Other common names

winter veltheimia

Synonyms

Veltheimia viridifolia misapplied
Veltheimia deasii
Veltheimia glauca

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A bulbous perennial to 45cm, with a rosette of strap-shaped, wavy-edged, glaucous leaves and stout purple-spotted stems bearing a terminal raceme of drooping tubular pale pink flowers 3-4cm in length, with darker spots

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Veltheimia are bulbous perennials with strap-shaped leaves and stout stems each bearing a terminal raceme of nodding, tubular flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: South Africa (N & W Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in loam-based compost with added sharp sand in full sun. Reduce water as leaves fade and keep just moist when dormant. Intolerant of root disturbance so only repot when congested. Plant in autumn with neck of bulb just above soil surface.

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C in autumn or remove offsets in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Cut flowers

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free