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Massonia hirsuta

hairy massonia

An unusual bulbous plant with two flat, thick, fleshy, rounded, smooth to hairy dark green leaves. Fragrant, white, spiky flowers with black stamens and hairy bracts appear between the leaves in spring

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Ultimate height

Up to 10cm

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

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)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Massonia are bulbous perennials with two oblong to elliptic leaves and dense heads of white or pink flowers of which the large stamens are the prominent part, usually opening in winter
Name status: Correct
Plant range: South Africa (Cape)

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a cool glasshouse or alpine house in full sun. Water moderately in growth; reduce watering after flowering for a period of dry dormancy

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds

Get involved

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