Cape Agapanthus
Agapanthus africanus
Fynbos Agapanthus, Dwarf Agapanthus, Kleinbloulelie (Afr.)
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Agapanthus africanus is a fast-growing plant that propagates through rhizomes. Agapanthus species are one of South Africa's best-known garden plants, although mostly the bigger evergreen Agapanthus praecox are grown. The dwarf variety grows naturally in selected winter rainfall areas. Fire or fire smoke stimulates profuse flowering.
ZA Distribution: Western Cape.
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Planning
Difficulty
Moderate
Flowering time
Summer
Harvesting
Harvest seeds after flowering (when the capsules have dried out). Cut flower stalks during flower for a beautiful display in a vase.
Propagation
Seed
Sowing time during autumn - and sow 1.5 times deeper than the seed size. Germination time is less than 2 months.
Division
The best time to lift and divide agapanthus is late March after they have finished flowering. Evergreen varieties should be divided once every four years.
Rhizomes
Lift and divide the rhizomes after flowering in autumn.
Special features
Attracts useful insects
Attract insects like bees and butterflies.
Attracts birds
Nectar-loving birds visit as well as insect-eating birds that feast on the pollinators!
Pot plant
Easily grows in a good sized pot.
Attractive flowers
Drought resistant
Rhizomes serve to be a valuable water store in dry times.
Attracts butterflies
Attracts bees
Special features
Origin
South Africa
Natural climate
Mediterranean
Environment
Light
Full Sun, Partial Shade, Partial Sun
Soil moisture
Moist
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil PH preference
Acid
Frost hardiness
Half-Hardy
Uses
Notes
Pretty low growing Agapanthus plant to use as edging to borders. A versatile plant which suits a range of sites from urban city courtyards to informal coastal gardens in containers or wall-side borders.
Personality
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Flower colour
Blue, White
Scent
None
Problems
Botrytis rot, a fungal disease, can be treated by spraying the buds with fungicide before and after they have opened. Snails are best dealt with by picking them off by hand when you spot them or invite ducks to help control.
Companion plants
Credits
Agapanthus africanus
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by Richard Jamieson, Centre for Home Gardening, Kirstenbosch, May 2004 (Copyright South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa)
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Knowledge and advice
Search our ever-growing knowledge base to find plants and information. Find out about pests and diseases you should be keeping an eye out for. Watch How to videos or follow step by step guides for tasks in the garden.
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