Lachenalia ensifolia subsp. ensifolia

RHS Plant Profile
sword-leaved Cape cowslip

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Lachenalia ensifolia subsp. ensifolia?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Synonyms

Polyxena odorata
Polyxena ensifolia var. ensifolia

Award of Garden Merit
Bulbs

A bulbous perennial to 5cm tall, with two grooved leaves to 20cm long. In autumn it produces trumpet-shaped, sweetly-scented white flowers with reflexed petals

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–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

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Lachenalia are bulbous perennials with strap-shaped, sometimes dark-spotted leaves, and erect stems bearing racemes or spikes of tubular flowers, slightly fragrant in some species, in autumn, winter or early spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
South Africa (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Water moderately as growth starts, then freely, applying a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks. Reduce watering as the leaves fade, then keep dry until fresh growth starts

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 13-18°C as soon as ripe, or remove bulblets in summer or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free