Albuca nelsonii
Nelson's slime lily
A tall, bulbous perennial with narrow, fleshy leaves up to 1.2m long, and stout, erect flower stems, to 1.5m tall, bearing many upright, green and white flowers in late spring and early summer
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten, skin 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
- South Africa
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best under glass in containers of John Innes No 2 potting compost with added sharp sand and leafmould. A position in full light is ideal. Water moderately when the bulbs are in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. When dormant, keep bulbs dry
Propagation
Propagate from seed (indoors) sown as soon as ripe, or remove offsets when dormant
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Cut flowers
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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