Chasmanthe aethiopica

RHS Plant Profile

small cobra lily

Other common names

African corn flag, African corn lily

Synonyms

Chasmanthe vittigera
Antholyza aethiopica
Antholyza vittigera

Bulbs Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming cormous perennial with pale-green upright lance-shaped leaves. Bright orangey red flower spikes appear from late spring to early summer. The tubular flowers face the same way along one side of the spike

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–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): H3

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: A genus of flowering clump-forming perennials from iris family, endemic to Cape Provinces in South Africa. The plants grow from corms, producing a clump of narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Upright flowering stems carry tubular flowers arranged neatly in two vertical rows
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Africa (S Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

In milder parts of the UK grow in a sunny or semi shade spot, in rich moist but well drainied soil. They can over winter outside in very sheltered gardens with free draining soil. But are best lifted or grown in pots for frost prone gardens

Propagation

Propagate from seed in spring or divide established clumps in spring, discarding old or damaged corms

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut back in late winter before the new growth appears

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free