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Little Eden

African Lily Care Guide

African Lily Care Guide

Whether you're just starting out or an experienced gardener, our essential care guide will help you grow your beautiful African Lily in your garden.

African lilies have strap-like leaves and showy flowers in shades of blue, violet or white. They're ideal for growing in containers where their pretty blooms stand tall or grow en masse in a border. It's a hardy, vigorous plant that bears grey-green foliage and from mid to late summer, numerous sky-blue, bell-shaped flowers appear.

QUICK FACTS

  • Perennial, Evergreen
  • Suitable for small gardens
  • Attractive to wildlife
  • Flowers
  • Avoid if you have children
  • Avoid if you have pets

Botanical name

Agapanthus campanulatus

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Where to plant

Choosing the right spot is important for your African Lily to thrive with the right amount of space and sun.

African lily (Agapanthus) is a beautiful perennial plant that is known for its large, blue or white flowers. Here is a care guide for growing African lily:

Plant gift

STEP 1

Prepare your new African Lily

Unpack your gift as soon as you can, it might be thirsty for some water (if the soils dry) and will be missing the light!

Planting a gift

STEP 2

Give it space and room to grow

When considering a spot for your plant, choose somewhere that is at least an inch wider than the pot all the way round. 

In a few years, your African Lily can grow up to 100cm height and 45cm spread.

Sun for plants

STEP 3

Give it some sun

Your African Lily loves to be south or west facing and with as much sun as possible.

Plants that like the sun will enjoy sunny areas that warm up during the day. Southern facing gardens receive the most sun, and will suit plants that won’t frazzle in the heat. You can work out which way your garden faces with a compass (there’s one on your phone) which will point towards North.

Soil types

Step 4

Check your soil

Soil type differs from garden to garden. Your African Lily will be happiest if your soil is like any of these:

Clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy

The texture and consistence of your soil is important also as it will determine the level of nutrition and drainage. If you think your soil might be the wrong type for your African Lily, you could plant it in a pot or container instead!

Plant border

Step 5

Position in border

Picking the right spot to plant in a border affects how well African Lily will grow and how the border will look overall.

Your African Lily will be best growing in the middle of the border, as it's tough enough to be surrounded on all sides by other plants that are competing for space. At the same time, they can look pretty in-between taller and shorter plants.

Care for your African Lily

By following these care tips, your African lily will thrive and provide you with beautiful and large flowers all season long.

  • Watering

    African lily requires regular watering, especially during dry periods. Be sure to not over-water, as this can lead to root rot.

    Learn: Watering plants 
  • Pruning

    Prune African lily in late winter or early spring to remove any damaged or diseased foliage. Cut the leaves back to the base of the plant to promote new growth.

    Learn: Pruning 
  • Fertillising

    African lily benefits from occasional fertilization during the growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or a slow-release fertilizer.

    Learn: Fertillising 
  • Pests & Diseases

    African lily is generally pest and disease-free. However, watch out for slugs and snails, which can be controlled by using slug bait or copper wire.

    Learn: Protect from bugs 
  • Protect

    African lily is frost-tender, so it is best to protect the plant during cold weather. Use mulch or a frost blanket to keep the roots warm.

    Learn: Protect 
  • Need some help?

    Our Little Eden essentials course gives you all the basic skills you need to help your new plant thrive.

    Little Eden Essentials 

Your African Lily Calendar

Our handy calendar helps you work out your planting and pruning seasons for your African Lily.

  • Jan

  • Feb

  • Mar

    Take Cuttings, Divide

  • Apr

    Take Cuttings, Divide

  • May

    Plant, Harvest, Divide

  • Jun

    Plant

  • Jul

    Flowers

  • Aug

    Flowers

  • Sep

    Flowers, Prune

  • Oct

    Prune

  • Nov

    Cut Back

  • Dec

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We're here to help

Ask us any question about your African Lily and we'll be happy to help.

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