LIFE CYCLE
Annual / Biennial
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
compact growth
GROWTH HABIT
Upright, bushy
BLOOM SEASON
Winter to spring
FLAVOUR PROFILE
Ornamental
SUITABLE FOR
Outdoor
SEED TYPE
Bulb/seed propagated
PLANT TYPE
Flowering Bulb
PLANTING SEASON
Autumn
FRUIT SIZE
Not applicable
PLANT HEIGHT
10–20 cm
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Full Sun Partial Shade
WATER NEEDS
Moderate
HARDINESS ZONES
7–10
CONTAINER GARDEN
Yes
PLANT SPACING
10–15 cm
PLANTING DEPTH
2–3 cm
GROWING CONDITIONS
Well drained sandy soil
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "Polyxena longituba" still the correct scientific name?
Is "Polyxena longituba" still the correct scientific name?
Not quite — this species has been reclassified as Lachenalia longituba, though "Polyxena longituba" remains a widely used older synonym.
How big does this plant get?
How big does this plant get?
It's genuinely tiny, typically only 7–15 cm tall.
Why is a South African bulb described as hardy?
Why is a South African bulb described as hardy?
It's native to the Roggeveld plateau, one of the coldest winter-rainfall regions of South Africa, giving it more cold tolerance than many South African bulbs.
Is autumn blooming unusual for this type of bulb?
Is autumn blooming unusual for this type of bulb?
Yes, unlike most spring bulbs, this species typically flowers in fall.
What makes the flower shape distinctive?
What makes the flower shape distinctive?
Each flower has an unusually long floral tube with a darker violet or lilac central stripe on each petal.
What's its yearly growth cycle?
What's its yearly growth cycle?
It flowers in autumn, holds foliage through winter, then goes dormant in summer — the reverse of many spring bulbs.