Ixia 'Spotlight'

RHS Plant Profile
corn lily 'Spotlight'
corn lily 'Spotlight' RHS
Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

'Spotlight' is a cormous perennial to about 40cm, with narrowly linear leaves. White, star-shaped flowers with a dark purple eye and deep pink stripe on the reverse of alternate petals, are carried on wiry stems in late spring or early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Ixia are cormous perennials with narrowly-linear leaves and colourful, star-shaped flowers carried on wiry stems
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Outdoors grow in well-drained soil in full sun in frost-free areas, or lift corms in autumn and store in dry, frost-free conditions while dormant. Under glass, plant corms 10-15cm deep in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould and sharp sand. Grow in full light, watering sparingly until flower spikes appear, then water freely and apply high potash liquid feed every two to three weeks until foliage fades.

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn when digging bulbs up for winter storage. Separate the bulbs and replant as new clumps in the spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free