How to Grow Blue Lily of the Nile

Agaphantus bears its flowers in groups at the end of the flower stalk.

Lily of the Nile, also known as agapanthus, is a perennial plant that returns year after year. This is not a true lily, though it grows from bulbs and sprouts similar long, blade-shaped leaves. Lily of the Nile bears its blooms in bouquet-like groups and blooms through summer in deep blues, periwinkle, lavender and white. This is a tropical plant that requires warm outdoor conditions, but also thrives in pots with protection in winter. Grow your agapanthus according to your growing region and with the right soil.

Things You'll Need

• 10- to 20-gallon pot
• Quick-draining potting soil
• Organic compost
• Fertilizer
• Spade/shovel

Instructions

1. Plant agapanthus bulbs in spring, in the correct location. If you live in USDA growing zones 9 to 11, with subtropical summers and winter temperatures over 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, plant the bulbs outdoors in sites where they'll get partial to full sun and quick drainage. Make sure that each planting site has 3 feet of space. If you live in growing zone 8 or lower, prepare a 10- to 20-gallon pot with a drainage hole for each agapanthus plant.

2. Amend the soil in outdoor sites to a depth of 10 inches. Mix 2 inches of quick-draining soil and 3 inches of organic compost into the natural soil to produce a rich, quick-draining foundation for each bulb. Agapanthus does not tolerate standing water and prefers rich soils. If you're potting your agapanthus, fill the pot three-fourths full of a mixture of half quick-draining potting soil and half organic compost to give the plants drainage and nutrition.

3. Plant agapanthus bulbs at depths twice their length, with pointed ends up. Give each bulb 18 to 24 inches of space for growing and pack amended soil around them to eliminate air pockets.

4. Water each bulb with 10 inches of water to wet the entire bulb, then maintain a consistent schedule of 2 to 3 inches of water every week. Agapanthus does not like to go dry.

5. Keep potted agapanthus outdoors in full to partial sun during the summer, then move it to a protected indoor location after the first frost. Keep the plants in spots where they'll still get the right lighting when they're indoors.

Tips & Warnings

• Divide agapanthus bulbs every four to five years to keep the sites from getting overcrowded.

• Feed agapanthus every spring with balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer to encourage growth and blooming.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Agapanthus
• Texas Master Gardener: Denton County Master Gardener Association: Lily of the Nile
• University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension: Wisconsin Master Gardener Program: Agapanthus
• PlantzAfrica.com: Agapanthus Campanulatas