Agapanthus
( ag - ap - PANTH - us )
At-A-Glance InformationAgapanthus, commonly called African Lily or Lily-Of-The-Nile, is a perennial plant that grows from an underground rhizome. These plants need full sun or partial shade and little to regular water. Their summertime flowers will attract butterflies to your garden. Hailing from South Africa, they can be either evergreen or deciduous and do great in mass plantings, but do need to be divided every four to eight years, depending on the species. They can do well in-ground as well as in containers. They make great cut flowers for fresh and dried arrangements.
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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 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. The evergreen species listed below grow best in zones 6-9, 12-24, H1 and H2 and the deciduous species grow best in zones 4-9 and 12-21. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Agapanthus praecox orientalis (Agapanthus orientalis) Evergreen species that grows stems 4-5 feet tall topped with clusters with around 100 blue flowers from large clumps of broad, arching leaves. This is the most commonly planted Agapanthus. Varieties include 'Albus' (with white flowers) and 'Flore Peno' (double blooms). |
Agapanthus Selections and Hybrid Varieties
Most of these varieties of Agapanthus are evergreen, though some are deciduous. See individual descriptions for more information.
Most of these varieties of Agapanthus are evergreen, though some are deciduous. See individual descriptions for more information.
'Baby Pete'
This compact variety grows just 6-9 inches tall, with light blue flowers just above the foliage. Long blooming season; ideal for containers. Does not set seed. |
'Black Pantha'
This species has deep violet-blue blooms and grey-green leaves. Flower stems are around 2-3 feet tall. Cold-tolerant. |
'Blue Storm'
Profuse, deep blue flowers on 2.5 foot stalks. Foliage is around a foot tall. |
'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. Also called 'Dwarf White' and 'Rancho'. |
'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. |
Caring for agapanthus
Agapanthus grow best in full sun or light shade where summers are mild, and in some afternoon shade in the hottest areas of their zones. On average, they need about 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Plant your Agapanthus in an area that corresponds with these requirements. Most evergreen varieties need to be mulched in winter to protect underground rhizomes. They can grow in heavy soils but do best in loam-heavy soils. Before planting, it is a good practice to amend the soil with some compost. Provide regular water, but when they are established Agapanthus can grow and bloom without formal irrigation. They do well in drought conditions. When they start to fade (when leaves begin to yellow), withhold water. Agapanthus also do well when planted in containers. If planting in a pot, ensure that you repot frequently to avoid the plant becoming root-bound, and ensure that the pot has great drainage so that roots are not sitting in water.
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 other blooms. 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 divide your Agapanthus plants, see the Propagation section below. When new growth starts in springtime, apply a well-balanced fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10). In early fall, apply a bloom-boosting formula (such as a 0-10-10).
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 other blooms. 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 divide your Agapanthus plants, see the Propagation section below. When new growth starts in springtime, apply a well-balanced fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10). In early fall, apply a bloom-boosting formula (such as a 0-10-10).
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:
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:
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.
Problems and Pests
Agapanthus plants are considered relatively pest-hardy, and do not have many issues. In some areas, they are considered invasive due to their 'clumping' nature. If your Agapanthus is not flowering as it usually does, this could be due to the fact that it has outgrown its pot or growing area, and needs to be divided. For dividing instructions, see the Propagation section on this page. Issues that at times can affect these flowering plants are:
- Snails and Slugs
- Mealybugs
- Gnats
- Spider Mites
- Thrips
- Botrytis
- Powdery Mildew
Gallery
Videos
How to grow Agapanthus.
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All about growing and caring for Agapanthus.
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How to divide Agapanthus plants.
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Growing Agapanthus from seed.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 137, Agapanthus
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