How to Grow Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus)

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Grow Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus)

Lily-of-the-Nile is a perennial with strappy leaves and tall, elegant flower stems with clusters of blue or white lilylike flowers at the top.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Caring for Lily-of-the-Nile

Step 1

Remove old foliage in spring, using bypass pruners to cut off the old stems.
Step 2

Apply a light application of organic fertilizer on top of the soil in early spring (follow package directions).
Step 3

Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost in spring.
Step 4

Water well weekly until soil is completely moist in summers with no rainfall.

Planting Lily-of-the-Nile

Step 1

Plant lily-of-the-Nile in full sun in well-drained soil, and in a protected place, such as up against a south-facing wall.
Step 2

Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.
Step 3

Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers.
Step 4

Set the plants 1 foot apart.
Step 5

Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.
Step 6

Water well until soil is completely moist.

Choosing Lily-of-the-Nile

Step 1

Look for plants at nurseries in spring through fall.
Step 2

Buy lily-of-the-Nile in 6-inch to 1-gallon containers.
Step 3

Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaves and flower buds.

Comments

kaydelano said

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on 6/9/2009 do lily of the nile bloom more than once a season?

on 9/10/2008 Why are my Leaves on my Lily-Of-The-Nile plants turning Yellow and dieing.
Not to much Watering, is it?
I've only been Watering them once every other day.
Can't be to much Sun and Heat. They only get 5 hours of Sunshine from 85 to 95 degrees.
So what else could be causing the Yellowing and Browning of my newly planted Lily-Of-The-Nile plants?

Please send your 'answers' to my INBOX.
Thanks from San Jose, Calif.

Anonymous said

on 11/22/2005 I live in the arid, southwest desert. I planted agapanthus under a large African sumac tree where they receive dappled shade all day. Also, I planted agapanthus next to a north facing wall where they only get the morning sun. They are all thriving, blooming and doing great.

on 11/22/2005 We live in far west Texas where there is next to no humidity. I planted my plants under a scrub oak and they are very happy. We are in the mountains, so our sun is a little more intense. But, I'm getting ready to enjoy my first blooms of the year. So I must be doing something right.