Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns.

RHS Plant Profile
African lily

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African lily RHS
African lily RHS

Other common names

blue African lily, Egyptian lily, lily of the Nile

Synonyms

Agapanthus africanus minor, Agapanthus minor, Agapanthus umbellatus, Agapanthus umbellatus L'Hérit.

Herbaceous Perennial

Plants grown as A. africanus are evergreen perennials with strap-shaped leaves and erect stems to 0.8m, bearing umbels of deep blue, trumpet-shaped flowers in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, 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 Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Agapanthus are clump-forming perennials with narrowly strap-shaped leaves, evergreen in some species, and erect stems bearing umbels of funnel-shaped blue or white flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a container of moist but well-drained compost and position in full sun. Water during the growing season and liquid feed monthly from spring to flowering. Over the winter, bring container under cover. See agapanthus cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division every 3 to 4 years in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wall side borders
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No need to cut down in the autumn, as the seedheads look attractive over winter

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails and agapanthus gall midge

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus