Massonia hirsuta

RHS Plant Profile
hairy massonia

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Massonia hirsuta?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Alpine Rockery Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

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)
H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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