Polianthes tuberosa

RHS Plant Profile
tuberose

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tuberose RHS

Other common names

mistress of the night, omixochitl, silver leaf

Synonyms

Polianthes tuberosa

Conservatory Greenhouse
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Has strappy leaves and spikes of white, waxy, funnel-shaped flowers in summer. It's famous for its heady scent, especially as a cut flower

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
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

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Agave can be perennial or monocarpic succulents, forming rosettes of usually rigid, fleshy, spiny-edged leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles often much taller than the rosettes
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Requires a minimum temperature of 15°C, so must be overwintered indoors. Dry off pots at the end of summer when leaves begin to die down, beginning watering and feeding again in spring. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free