Plants
African Lily
Agapanthus · Amaryllidaceae
Hardly any container plant brings as much Mediterranean flair to the terrace as the African lily: large blue or white spherical umbels on tall stems above rich green arching foliage. It flowers from June to August, grows more generous with the years and often accompanies its owners for decades. We stock Agapanthus in sturdy nursery quality, usually flowering-size plants in established pots.
- Light
- Full sun; the more sun, the richer the flowering.
- Watering
- Water generously in summer and very sparingly in winter; avoid waterlogging at all costs.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Agapanthus
With African lilies it pays to check the foliage type: evergreen cultivars keep their leaves and must overwinter bright and frost-free, while deciduous cultivars (such as those from the Agapanthus campanulatus group) die back in autumn and tolerate far more cold — in the mild Rhineland some even stay in the border permanently with winter protection.
The most important flowering factor is sun: a fully sunny spot on the terrace or balcony is essential, and in shade the plant simply will not bloom. Add to that a rather snug pot — Agapanthus flowers most freely when its fleshy roots fill the container well. Overgenerous repotting is the classic reason for flowerless years.
During the season the African lily is thirsty and hungry: water regularly, let excess water drain away, and feed weekly with liquid fertiliser from April to August. From September both are reduced so the plant can ripen.
The second classic mistake is wrong overwintering. Evergreen cultivars need a bright, cool quarter at around zero to seven degrees — a frost-free greenhouse, a cold stairwell or a bright garage. Plants kept too warm and dark grow leggy and flower poorly the following year.
Divide only when the pot is about to burst, ideally in spring with a sharp spade. Then be patient: freshly divided sections often skip flowering for a year or two. The spherical seed heads can be left standing — they decorate into autumn and work well in dried arrangements.
In floristry, individual Agapanthus umbels are popular cut flowers for large summer bouquets. On the terrace the African lily harmonises with everything that radiates the south: oleander, olive trees, lavender and geraniums.
Is African Lily toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
The sap and especially the rhizome of the African lily contain irritant compounds (including saponins). Toxic to cats and dogs; in children the sap can irritate skin and mucous membranes. Wear gloves when dividing.
Typical symptoms: After ingestion: drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain; the sap can also irritate skin and eyes.
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
- 01Choose a fully sunny spot — no sun, no flowers.
- 02Pot rather snugly: Agapanthus flowers best when the roots fill the container.
- 03Water regularly and feed weekly from April to August; avoid waterlogging.
- 04Overwinter evergreen cultivars bright and cool at zero to seven degrees, deciduous ones dark and frost-free.
- 05In winter water only enough to keep the root ball from drying out completely.
- 06Divide only when truly necessary — the plant then needs a year or two before flowering again.
Frequently asked
- Why does my African lily not flower?
- The three most common reasons: too little sun, an oversized pot and a winter spent too warm and dark. Agapanthus needs full sun, crowded roots and a cool, bright winter quarter — get those three right and the flowers almost take care of themselves.
- Is the African lily hardy?
- Evergreen cultivars are not hardy and must overwinter bright and frost-free. Deciduous cultivars tolerate a good deal of frost in the border under a thick mulch layer — in the mild Rhineland this often works permanently in sheltered spots. In containers a frost-free quarter is always the safe choice.
- Is the African lily toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes. The sap and rhizome contain irritant saponins that can cause drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea in cats and dogs. It is not a true lily and not as dangerous to cats as Lilium species, but it still belongs out of reach.
- When should you repot an African lily?
- As rarely as possible. Only when the fleshy roots threaten to burst the pot or water no longer soaks in should you repot in spring into an only slightly larger container, or divide. An overgenerous pot typically costs one or two flowering years.