They are native to South Africa and do well in zones 7 to 10.
Flowers bloom on tall stalks, and leaves spread out wide and long from the base.
These plants also attract hummingbirds, are excellent cut flowers, and many are deer and rabbit-resistant.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Agapanthus is toxic to both humans and pets.
When to Plant
Plant agapanthus in the ground in autumn inUSDA hardiness zones9 and 10.
In zones 7 and lower, plant in spring when soil temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Select a spot that also has well-draining soil.
How to Plant
Place the rhizomes two inches deep and 12 to 18 inches apart.
Face the pointed end upward.Add a heavy layer of mulchfor cold-weather protection.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Plant any agapanthus you are growing in pots 1 inch deep and 8 inches apart.
Use a fertile, well-draining potting mix and a container with drainage holes.
The biggest maintenance concern is how to protect your agapanthus during winter.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Light
Agapanthus requiresfull sun, six to eight hours daily, to produce better blooms.
In hot climates, plants benefit from afternoon shade.
Agapanthus are drought resistant and won’t tolerate standing water.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Significantly reduce or eliminate watering in winter until new growth begins the following spring.
Temperature and Humidity
Ideal temperatures range from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some species tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
but many evergreen types should be brought indoors when temperatures reach an average of 50 degrees.
Reduce fungal problems by thinning plants to allow for good air circulation, especially in areas with high humidity.
Fertilizer
Add abalanced fertilizeronce in spring and again two months later.
Or choose a fertilizer with theNPKslightly higher in phosphorous, such as a 5-10-10 ratio.
Feeding with too much nitrogen can reduce blooms or cause flower stems to fail to reach their full height.
Do not fertilize after August.
Types of Agapanthus
There are two main species and seven different types of agapanthus.
They are all native to South Africaand have not been found growing naturally anywhere else across the globe.
All species hybridize easily and are not yet fully classified, however, numerous subspecies and cultivars exist.
Here are a few of the most popular and common types grown domestically.
Pruning
Once the flowers fade, remove the entire stem to promote repeat blooming.
Remove dead or damaged foliage at any time, but avoid cutting back foliage from deciduous types after blooming.
Propagating Agapanthus
Agapanthus is easily and most reliably propagated by division.
Garden-grown plants should be divided every four to six years.
Division is accomplished best in early spring for deciduous plants and in autumn after blooming for evergreen varieties.
Warning
Agapanthus hybridizes easily, and new varieties often become available.
If you purchase a patented hybrid plant, it is illegal to propagate it.
Check the label for the phrase “patent pending” or ask the grower or re-seller.
The seeds are short-lived, so sow them immediately.
Note that collected seeds might not produce plants identical to the original.
Plants grown from seed can take three to five years to produce flowers.
To propagate from seed, gather seed trays, and seed starting medium.
Potting and Repotting Agapanthus
Agapanthus grows well in pots and blooms best when root-bound.
Individual plants should be potted up into containers four inches wider every two years to accommodate spread.
Plants in 24-inch containers can be grown out until blooms start to diminish, then should be divided.
To grow agapanthus in a pot, choose a container 12 inches wide with drainage holes.
Fill it with a lightly moistened mix of compost or potting soil and sand or grit for drainage.
Make a shallow depression in the center of the pot.
Plant rhizomes 1 inch deep with the pointed end up and cover with potting medium.
Place the container in indirect sunlight and withhold water for several days to allow the plant to acclimate.
Then reduce water to 1/2 inch per week.
Overwintering
Agapanthus are tough plants, but winter hardiness is a challenge.
It’s best not to overwinter them outdoors unless you live in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10.
Rhizomes can be lifted in autumn after leaves die back, stored, and replanted in spring.
Water is reduced or withheld during the winter months.
To store agapanthus tubers, let them cure for several days to dry.
Then wrap them in newspaper and store them in a cool, dark location.
Store at 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
A strong spray with a hose can knock them off the plant.
Treat severe infestations with horticultural or neem oil.
Fungal diseases like verticillium wilt can affect overcrowded plants.
Pot up and divide plants regularly to allow for good air circulation.
Agapanthus blooms best with six to eight hours of sunlight daily.
Provide winter protection with mulch and move potted plants indoors or into a sheltered location.
Feed agapanthus in spring with a fertilizer higher in phosphorous, and feed again midseason.
This is a natural process of older foliage dying back, and it can be removed.
New leaves will grow from the center to replace the dying foliage.
Reduced Blooms
Reduced blooms can indicate that the plants need to be divided.
Replant the newest growth and discard older plants from the center of the clump.
Plants You Might Also Like
Agapanthus grows well in both pots and the ground.
However, pots can yield especially robust plants since agapanthus benefits from some root restriction.
Agapanthus can reseed, but spread is more likely to occur by rhizome in most growing zones.
NC State Extension
Guide to Poisonous Plants.
Colorado State University
Agapanthus.
Guide to Poisonous Plants.
African lily.University of Oxford.
