Lachenalia liliiflora

RHS Plant Profile
lily-flowered Cape cowslip

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lily-flowered Cape cowslip RHS
Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

A summer-dormant bulbous perennial, to 25cm tall, with strap-shaped leaves and erect spikes of tubular white and pink-purple flowers on sturdy, purple-spotted stems from late winter to spring

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
2–5 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 Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–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
Bushy
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, plant bulbs close together in a well-drained, peat-free, loam-based compost and grow in full sun. Introduce watering gradually in autumn until plants are actively growing and then water freely. Reduce watering in spring and keep dry over summer until growth resumes in autumn

Propagation

Propagate from seed (indoors) sown as soon as ripe at 13-18°C, by detaching bulblets in summer or autumn, or by leaf cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Remove old foliage as the plant dies down for the summer

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free