Albuca humilis

RHS Plant Profile
low-growing albuca

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Bulbs Herbaceous Perennial
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A small, bulbous perennial to 10cm tall producing one or two narrow, cylindrical, dark green basal leaves in summer up to 20cm long and a loose head of up to three, cup-shaped white flowers striped green on the outside fading with age to reddish-brown. Flowers have a strong scent of marzipan

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline 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)
H3

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
Matforming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eatenskin irritant - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Albuca are bulbous perennials with linear or narrowly lance-shaped leaves and loose racemes of yellow or white flowers, with three spreading tepals and three forming a tube, each often marked with green or brown on the reverse
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S & C Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, sunny position in a well-drained soil. Keep dry when bulbs are dormant

Propagation

Propagate by seed or remove offsets when the plant is dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free