African Lily Houseplant Care

Showy blue flower clusters topping the tall stems of African lily have captured gardeners' hearts for years. But did you know that you can grow this dazzling beauty indoors? African lilies grow wonderfully in containers.

Find out how to grow African lilies in a sunny window or on your patio. Here, you'll get tips on how often to water, what kind of sunlight will make this lily bloom, how to plant the rhizomes in a pot, and much more.

Agapanthus gets its name from the Greek words agape meaning love and anthos meaning flower.

Get to Know Agapanthus Africanus

Known botanically as Agapanthus africanus, African lily is a clump-forming, perennial plant with long, lance-shaped leaves. One rare variety is 'Variegatus', sporting striped leaves.

At the top of the tall flower stems are rounded umbels of showy, 6-petaled flowers. Each bloom is about 1-1/2" (4 cm) long. Though most African Lilies are blue, lavender or purple, 'Albus' has flower heads of pure white.

Give your plant plenty of light. Some full sun is needed to make this beauty bloom. And when it does -- several flower stems will burst with clouds of blue-hued blossoms all summer.

This garden favorite makes an ideal potted plant for the sunroom or any room that gets full sunlight. Turn the pot each week to give each side even light exposure.

How tall does it get? African lily will reach about 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) in height. There are dwarf varieties that grow to less than 1 ft (30 cm) tall.

Caring for African Lilies Year-Round

Pot 'em up. Each plant sends up several leafless flower stems, surrounded by a fountain of long, sword-shaped leaves and needs room to grow. Plant rhizomes 1-inch (2.5 cm) deep. It's best to plant one per pot because plants eventually spread out at least 1 ft (30 cm) wide.

Repot in spring only when necessary. This flowering plant blooms best when pot-bound, so keep the fleshy rhizome roots crowded in the container. Use a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.

Deadhead spent flower stems. After African Lily has finished blooming for the season, cut the flower stems near the base of the plant. Remember to always use sharp, clean pruners on your plants.

Wondering whether to cut African Lily back? Agapanthus africanus is an evergreen type that doesn't need pruning. It can be left alone, unless you want to cut off the occasional brown leaf to tidy it up. 

Overwinter A. africanus in a sunny window. It's an evergreen and wants sunlight all year long. African Lily will tolerate cool temperatures, but don't expose your plant to 50°F/10°C or lower. Reduce watering during the winter months, but don't allow the soil to dry out. Stop fertilizing after flowering is over. In early spring, resume normal care.

If you've never grown African lilies, give them a try. Growing these tender perennials indoors is easy and, with good care, you'll enjoy their gorgeous flowers year after year.

Pure white flowers make Agapanthus africanus 'Albus' well-worth seeking. Photo: Matthias Böckel

African Lily Buying Tips

You'll find Agapanthus africanus for sale in spring and summer in garden centers and nearly year-round at some online nurseries.

Though most are blue, one cultivar 'Albus' is pure white. A dwarf variety exists -- 'Peter Pan' only reaches about 10 inches (25 cm) tall.

African Lily Care Tips

Light: African lilies thrive in full sunlight. If you don't get many blooms, move your plant to a sunnier location. Moving African lily outdoors for the summer will give it the sunlight it needs.

Water: Water generously throughout the growing season, keeping the soil evenly moist. Water sparingly after flowering is finished. It's a good idea to use a pot with drainage holes because African Lily won't tolerate soggy soil. Yellow leaves are usually a sign of overwatering.

Humidity: Try to maintain 40-50% relative humidity. Use a cool-mist room humidifier for best results.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-80°F/18-27°C. If you scoot your container to the patio or porch for the summer, don't worry -- it can take the heat. But bring it back indoors when the temperature drops...these tender perennials will only tolerate temps as low as 50°F/10°C. 

Soil: Good-quality, all-purpose potting mix 

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a high-phosphorous water-soluble fertilizer.

Propagation: Divide plants in spring every 4 years or when they get too crowded. Sow African lily seeds in spring. Plants grown from seed may take 2 to 3 years to flower.

1. Home
›
2. Houseplants A-Z