Agapanthus

( ag - ap - PANTH - us )

At-A-Glance Information

Agapanthus, commonly called African Lily or Lily-Of-The-Nile, is a genus filled with perennial plants that grow from an underground rhizome root. These flowers need full sun to partial shade and little to regular water to perform well in the landscape. Their summertime flowers will attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. Hailing from southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique), these plants can be either evergreen or deciduous and are typically installed in masse, but can be specimens as well. They can grow well in-ground or in containers. They make great cut flowers for fresh and dried arrangements. Use Agapanthus in Mediterranean, Informal, Pollinator, or water-wise landscapes.

Agapanthus Species and Varietals

Because these plants hybridize so easily, species names have been confused over the years. Agapanthus are members of the Amaryllidaceae family and derive their generic name from the Greek words for 'love' and 'flower'. They were introduced to Western gardeners when they were brought back from South Africa by European explorers in 1679. Species typically do well in USDA hardiness zones 5-11, though this varies greatly depending on the species. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Agapanthus africanus (Agapanthus umbellatus) (African Lily, Blue African Lily, Egyptian Lily, Cape Agapanthus, Fynbos Agapanthus)
This evergreen variety grows as a more compact species than others in the genus. Leaves are shorter and narrower and individual plants reach just 1.5 feet tall when mature. Flower clusters containing up to 20-50 flowers each; Blooms are deep blue. This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset zones 6-9, 12-24, H1 and H2 and prefers soil on the acidic side.

Agapanthus campanulatus (Bell Agapanthus, African Bluebell, Bell African Lily, Bloulelie, Ugebeleweni, Ubani, Leta-Laphofu)
This is a deciduous species of Agapanthus, and reaches to 3 feet tall at maturity with drooping, dark blue flowers. The species is native to the Drakensberg in southern Africa, where it grows on moist grasslands and rocky sloped areas. Subspecies Agapanthus campanulatus var. albidus (pictured) has white flowers. Bell Agapanthus does well in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 or Sunset zones 4-9 and 12-21.

Agapanthus spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Agapanthus)
Most of these varieties of Agapanthus are evergreen, though some are deciduous. See individual descriptions for more information. zones 6-9, 12-24, H1 and H2; zones 4-9 and 12-21

'Baby Pete'
This compact variety grows to 6-9 inches with light purple flowers just above foliage. Ideal for containers.

'Black Pantha'
This species has deep violet-blue blooms and grey-green leaves. To 2-3 feet tall. Cold-tolerant.

'Blue Storm'
Profuse, deep blue flowers on 2.5 foot stalks. Foliage is around a foot tall.

'Elaine'
Has large clusters of dark bluish-purple flowers on 3-4 foot tall stems.

'Ellamae'
With large, dark blue flowers on stalks that are up to 5 feet tall.

Headbourne Hybrids
This group of deciduous Agapanthus bloom in a range of blue-white colors.

'Henryi'
Dwarf variety, free-blooming. Foliage to a foot tall, white flowers on 1.5-foot stems.

'Midknight Blue'
3-4 feet tall with deep blue flowers.

'Mood Indigo'
Deciduous, with deep violet blooms on 3-4 foot tall stems.

'Peter Pan'
Dwarf variety, free-blooming. Foliage is one foot tall, with blue flowers on 1.5 foot stems.

'Queen Anne'
1.5 foot foliage with up to 2 foot blue-flowered stalks.

'Rancho White'
Foliage grows to 1.5 feet tall with 2 foot tall flower stalks with white flowers.

'Storm Cloud'
Evergreen in warmest areas, deciduous otherwise. Deep blue-violet blooms on 4 foot stems.

'Snow Storm'
Abundant white blooms on 2.5 foot tall stems, with 1.5-foot tall foliage.

'Streamline'
Dwarf variety, gets 1.5 foot tall. Leaves are grassy and flowers are blue-grey. Blooms for a long season.

'Summer Gold'
Compact, gets to 1 foot tall with blue flowers held about a half foot above the variegated foliage.

'Tinkerbell'
1.5 feet tall, with light blue flowers and narrow, gray green leaves edged in white.

Agapanthus inapertus (Drakensbery Agapanthus, Drooping Agapanthus, Closed African Lily)
Deciduous variety that forms a 5-foot tall plant with a basal clump of light green leaves. Blooms are dark violet-blue and have a graceful drooping habit. Cultivars include 'Graskop' (a compact cultivar with dark blooms, pictured) and 'Sky' (with long, tubular, light blue-pink flowers). This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 and Sunset zones 4-9 and 12-21.

Agapanthus praecox (Common Agapanthus, Blue Lily, African Lily, Lily of the Nile)
Evergreen species that grows stems to 4-5 feet tall topped with clusters holding around 100 blue flowers. Forms large clumps of broad, arching green leaves. This species of Agapanthus does best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset zones 6-9, 12-24, H1 and H2. Popular cultivars are listed below:

'Albus'

'Blue Flare'

'Blue Ice'

'Blue Bayou'

'Delfina's Blush'

'Ever Amethyst'

'Ever Twilight'

'Flore Pleno'

'Galxy Blue'

'Indigo Frost'

'Northern Star'

'Queen Mum'

Caring for agapanthus

Agapanthus plants are commonly available at reputable nurseries, and they can also be grown from seed (either direct-sown or started indoors). Agapanthus grow best in full sun to light shade where summers are mild, and appreciate some afternoon shade in the hottest areas of their zone range. On average, they perform well with about 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0 (acidic to alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Agapanthus plants are considered to be quite drought-tolerant, able to make it through most of the year on rainwater alone. Irrigate during extended periods of drought. When leaves begin to fade and turn yellow as the plant enters its dormant season, withhold waterings.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Continuing care for these flowering plants involves cutting expired flower stems back to the ground. This will discourage seed production (lowering their danger as an invasive species) and allow the plant to expend more energy on growth and subsequent blooms. Most evergreen varieties need to be mulched in winter to protect underground rhizomes. These plants form clumps, and from time to time these clumps need to be divided. For evergreen varieties, it is recommended that they are divided about once every four to five years, and for deciduous varieties, every six to eight years. For instructions on how to successfully divide Agapanthus plants, see the Propagation section below.

Growing Agapanthus in Containers
Agapanthus can do well when planted in containers; they tend to thrive when root-bound. Choose a pot that has good drainage; Agapanthus does well in Terra Cotta pots, which allow excess water to evaporate from the root zone. Fill the pot with well-draining potting mix amended with sand and perlite. Apply a layer of mulch over the top of soil to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Agapanthus plants are considered to be quite drought-tolerant, able to make it through most of the year on rainwater alone. Irrigate during extended periods of drought. When leaves begin to fade and turn yellow as the plant enters its dormant season, withhold waterings. If planting Agapanthus flowers in a pot, ensure that you repot every four to five years for evergreen species and for deciduous varieties every six to eight years. For instructions on how to successfully divide Agapanthus plants, see the Propagation section below. Protect Agapanthus grown in containers from cool temperatures by moving their containers to a sheltered location over the winter months.

Propagation

Agapanthus can be propagated by division or by seed. To ensure that you will get a propagated plant that is a clone of the parent, propagate by division.

Propagating Agapanthus by Division
This method is best done in springtime after new growth has begun to emerge, or in fall when the plant is done flowering. To complete this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean, sharp garden shears, a pruning saw (optional), extra pots (relatively large ones, though this depends on the species. You will only need extra pots if you are not immediately replanting elsewhere in the garden), and well-draining potting soil. To propagate your Agapanthus by division, follow these directions:

Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your clump of Agapanthus out of the ground, lay it out on its side. With your garden shears, remove any old flower stems and old or faded leaves.
Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there are at least three 'shoots' per segment. Inspect each segment to ensure health and lay them out on the ground.
If you will be planting your Agapanthus in the ground, this is when you'll prepare your new hole. Dig a hole (large enough to accommodate the root ball of the clump you are planting) with your shovel in a sunny location with soil that is well-draining. If you have issues with drainage in your garden, amend with compost or loam before planting. Backfill and water generously.
If you are transporting your division elsewhere, or hanging on to it until you're ready to plant it, you'll need your pot filled with loamy soil. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground.

Propagating Agapanthus by Seed
Before trying this method, keep in mind that it does not ensure that you will end up with the exact same plant as you harvested the seed from. If you are looking for an exact clone of the parent plant, propagate your Agapanthus by division (as described above). For this method, you will need a paper bag, a pot or seed tray, a spray bottle filled with water, and well-draining soil. After you have gathered your materials, follow these instructions:

Harvest your seeds. This should be done when the Agapanthus seed pods have turned brown in late summer or fall. Store the seed pods in a paper bag in a cool, dry place until they release the seeds inside. Then, remove the seeds from the bag.
Fill your pot or tray with potting soil, and water to ensure sufficient drainage. Place seeds on top of the soil, and cover them with about a quarter inch of more potting mix. Water the soil until it is moist, but not wet, and then place it in a spot indoors where it can receive about 6 hours of sunlight per day. Moisten the soil when it dries out with your spray bottle.
After about a month, the seeds should begin to germinate. Once this happens, move the pot or tray into a cooler area that receives bright indirect light. When they are large enough, transplant seedlings into their own individual pots, and continue adding water. Overwinter the seedlings indoors or in a greenhouse, and continue potting up as needed.
When the last danger of frost has passed, you can plant your Agapanthus in the garden in their permanent home.

Agapanthus seed pods ready to be harvested.

Agapanthus seeds.

Problems and Pests

Agapanthus are considered invasive in some areas of the world, including Australia and New Zealand. Before planting Agapanthus flowers, check with local authorities to make sure that they are not considered invasive. Agapanthus plants are overall considered relatively hardy, easy to care for and do not have many problems. However, when stressed, they can be susceptible to issues with the following pests and diseases.