Do you already have the Agapanthus or African Lily in your garden, or are you considering it? Read all about the origin, care, and flowers of this beautiful plant here!
Care
The African Lily is easy to care for and grows well. Place it in a sunny spot in your garden. It's a true sun-lover. The plant grows well both in the ground and in a pot, and with sufficient space, it can grow up to 80 to 90 centimeters tall.
Dehydration is the biggest danger for this plant. Ensure sufficient water, but on the other hand, prevent the roots from sitting in a layer of water. Always choose a pot with drainage holes at the bottom for excess water, or ensure its spot in the garden is well-draining. Especially during the flowering period, the plant uses a lot of water.
If you plant the Agapanthus in a terracotta pot, be aware that these pots also absorb water, so give more water than if you plant it in a pot made of a different material.
Winter Care
Agapanthus is not a winter-hardy plant by origin, but because the varieties in our webshop lose their leaves, they can tolerate some frost. In case of frost, preferably bring pots indoors, for example, into a shed. Plants in the ground can be covered with straw for extra protection.
In winter, the leaves will die back naturally. If you leave the flowers, you can cut off the stems with seed pods in the spring and possibly remove some old leaves so that the plant can then produce new flowers. The plants can easily live for ten years or more.
Flowers
The Agapanthus is a popular cut flower and is used in all kinds of bouquets. Due to its length, stem strength, and beautiful flower shape, the flower is well-suited for bouquets. When cut at the right time, you can enjoy this flower in a vase for up to 1.5 weeks. In the garden, the plant blooms in July and August. The longer you have this plant, the more flowers it will produce.
History
The Agapanthus was first written about in the Netherlands as early as 1680. Originating from South Africa, where this plant grows on grasslands and among rocks, often between ferns or alone. The Agapanthus was brought to the Netherlands during the heyday of the Dutch East India Company.
View all Agapanthus varieties here.
