Agapanthus
Agapanthus praecox and hybrids
Agapanthus forms clumps of strap-shaped leaves and sends up tall stems topped with round heads of blue or white flowers in summer. It is tough, drought-tolerant and ideal for borders, slopes and large pots in mild climates.
Photo: Victorrocha · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Water regularly in spring and summer; established plants tolerate dry spells. Keep drier in winter.
Soil
Well-drained, moderately fertile soil; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
-5–38 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed every two weeks from spring until flowering with a potassium-rich fertilizer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by division, seed
Cut flower stems to the base after flowering unless you want seed heads.
The sap can irritate skin and mouth, and eating the plant causes stomach upset in people and pets.
Top Cultivation Tips
Flowers best when slightly crowded in a pot.
Evergreen types suit frost-free climates.
Divide large clumps in spring.
Deciduous types are hardier in cold regions.
Common problems
Root rot
Roots decay in waterlogged soil, so the plant wilts and yellows even though the soil is wet.
How to treat it →PestSnails and slugs
Night-feeding molluscs that chew ragged holes in leaves, seedlings and soft stems, especially in wet weather.
How to treat it →PestThrips
Tiny, slender insects that rasp leaf and flower surfaces, leaving silvery streaks, curled leaves and distorted flowers.
How to treat it →
