Flower Library
African Corn Lily
Ixia · Iridaceae
The African corn lily is one of the most delicate cut flowers of early summer: wire-thin yet surprisingly sturdy stems with star-shaped florets arranged in spikes that open wide in the light. Its colours range from white with a dark eye through pink and yellow to the famous turquoise green of Ixia viridiflora. Despite its daintiness it lasts surprisingly long in the vase.
- Season
- April – May – June – July
- Vase life
- 7–12 days
- Latin name
- Ixia
- Colors
- White with a dark eye, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Turquoise green (Ixia viridiflora)
The assortment consists mainly of Ixia hybrids in clear colours, often with a contrasting dark flower centre. A rarity for collectors is Ixia viridiflora with its turquoise-green bloom and black eye — one of the very few truly turquoise flowers and accordingly sought-after whenever it appears at the auction.
You need to know the corn lily's key quirk: its flowers are light-controlled. In sunshine and bright daylight the stars open wide; in the evening and on dull days they close. That is not a lack of freshness but completely normal — a bright spot gets the maximum out of every stem.
When buying we look for spikes on which the lowest one or two florets show colour while the rest are in bud. That way the spike opens from the bottom up over a good week and the vase life is fully used. Fully open stock looks spectacular but lasts noticeably shorter.
In floristry Ixia is a fine line flower and filler in one: it brings lightness and a touch of wildness to spring bouquets and blends beautifully with freesias, ranunculus and lisianthus. Even on its own, loosely placed in a slim vase, the starry spikes look like a small firework display.
A typical mistake is a dark spot: in a dim corner the flowers stay closed and the corn lily looks unremarkable. Place it bright — without harsh midday sun — and the stars open anew every morning.
Is African Corn Lily toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
The African corn lily is not considered strongly toxic, but like many iris relatives it is not proven completely harmless either. Chewing can cause gastrointestinal upset — keep the vase out of reach of pets and small children to be safe.
Typical symptoms: After eating larger amounts: nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, usually mild.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle and place them in fresh water with flower food.
- 02Display in a bright spot — the flowers only open in good light.
- 03Change the water every two to three days; the thin stems like it clean.
- 04Pluck out the faded lower stars; the spike keeps flowering upwards.
- 05Do not place next to the fruit bowl — ethylene shortens the vase life.
- 06Closed flowers in the evening are normal, not a sign of wilting.
Frequently asked
- Why do Ixia flowers close?
- The flowers are light-controlled: they open in sunshine and bright daylight and close in the evening or on dull days. That is completely normal and not a sign of poor freshness. In a bright spot they reopen every morning.
- How long does the African corn lily last in the vase?
- About seven to twelve days — remarkably long for such a delicate flower. The spikes open gradually from the bottom up; buy budded stems, pluck out faded stars and keep the water clean to get the full span.
- When is Ixia in season?
- The main season at the auction runs from late spring into early summer, roughly April to July. Ixia is a true seasonal flower — outside those months it is hard to find, which makes it all the more appealing to connoisseurs.
- Is there really a turquoise Ixia?
- Yes: Ixia viridiflora blooms in a unique turquoise green with a dark eye — one of the very few naturally turquoise flowers. It is rare and available only in small quantities; when we get it at the auction it usually sells out fast.