Babiana (ba-bee-AN-uh) is a bulbous perennial belonging to the genus Babiana and from the iris family, Iridaceae.
The genus name Babiana is derived from the Dutch word “baviaan” and the Latin name “babiaan’s,” which means baboon. It also refers to the old-world primates or monkeys (African monkey) that would dig and eat the Babiana’s corms, hence the nickname, Baboon flower.
This tender cormous perennial is native to tropical regions of South Africa. It is generally abundant in the Western Cape, West Coast, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, southern Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Babiana is a show flowering plant well-known for its freesia-like flowers aloft on a stem spike with lanced-shaped hairy leaves.
There are 80 species of Babiana, and many are widely cultivated as ornamental.
The different Babiana species are the following:
- Babiana ambigua
- Babiana angustifolia
- Babiana blanda
- Babiana cedarbergensis
- Babiana cuneata
- Babiana curviscapa
- Babiana dregei
- Babiana ecklonii
- Babiana flabellifolia
- Babiana fragrans
- Babiana framesii
- Babiana hirsuta
- Babiana hypogaea
- Babiana inclinata
- Babiana karooica
- Babiana leipoldtii
- Babiana lineolata
- Babiana melanops
- Babiana montana
- Babiana mucronata
- Babiana nana
- Babiana noctiflora
- Babiana odorata
- Babiana patersoniae
- Babiana patula
- Babiana praemorsa
- Babiana purpurea
- Babiana pygmaea
- Babiana radiata
- Babiana regia
- Babiana ringens
- Babiana rubella
- Babiana rubrocyanea
- Babiana salteri
- Babiana sambucina
- Babiana scariosa
- Babiana secunda
- Babiana sinuata
- Babiana spathacea
- Babiana spiralis
- Babiana sp.
- Babiana stricta
- Babiana torta
- Babiana tubiflora
- Babiana tubulosa
- Babiana unguiculata
- Babiana vanzijliae
- Babiana villosa
- Babiana villosula
- Babiana virginea
The most popular Babiana species are the Babiana stricta and Babiana rubrocyanea.
Babiana is also widely known by various common names, such as:
- Baboon Flower
- Blue Freesia
- Fragrant Blue Babiana
- Gladiolus Nervosus
- Ixia Plicata
- Bobbejaantjie
- Bobbejaanuintjie
In addition, the nicknames bobbejaantjie and bobbejaanuintjie are Afrikaans words. Bobbejaantjie means little baboon, while bobbejaanuintjie means baboon’s little onion.
Quick Facts On Babiana
- Family: Iridaceae
- Light: Full sun or partial shade
- Temperature: 55° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Moderate watering; Well-drained soil
- Fertilizer: General purpose fertilizer
- Propagation: Seeds or corms
- Common Problems: Gray Mold, Snails, and Slugs
Babiana Care
How Big Does Babiana Grow?
Babiana is a fast-growing flowering plant that grows approximately 8″ to 45″ inches tall for most species and spreads 11″ inches wide.
On the other hand, most hybrid Babiana species only reach an average height of 4″ to 12″ inches tall with no more than 2″ inches wide.
Babiana takes about one year to reach its maturity.
When Does Babiana Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Babiana produces a cluster of brightly-colored cup-shaped flowers resembling freesia blooms, opening about a diameter of 2″ inches above slender, short stem spikes.
The cup-shaped flowers come in various distinctive colors, including:
- Blue-Violet
- Purple
- Pink
- Rose/Mauve
- Magenta
- Cream
- White
- Pale yellow
Each stem spike bears about 6 to 12 freesia-like flowers grouped in an inflorescence.
The rich, dark green foliage of Babiana consists of narrow, lanced, or sword-shaped hairy leaves, spreading about 5″ to 8″ inches long.
Most Babiana species bloom during the winter months (June to August), lasting over 2 to 3 weeks with a pleasant lemon fragrance.
However, other Babiana species start blooming from mid to late spring or early summer.
Babiana is also a deciduous plant, meaning it sheds or loses its leaves after the blooming season.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Babiana is a tropical perennial flowering plant, meaning it prefers warm climates and temperatures. Because of this, it’s also drought and heat resistant.
It grows best when planted in full sun locations in West or South-facing aspects with direct exposure to sunlight for 6 or more hours a day.
This tropical perennial also grows equally well when planted in partial shade locations with 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight only part of the day.
The ideal daytime temperature for Babiana is 65° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit and the preferred nighttime temperature range between 55° and 60° degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, Babiana is not frost-hardy and cannot tolerate any temperature below 25° degrees Fahrenheit. It thrives in USDA Zones 9 to 10.
When planted in a cooler climate, a layer of mulch will help. However, it also needs to be protected from the wind because it can break its delicate stem.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Babiana?
Water the Babiana plants regularly (about an inch of water) during the growing seasons, preferably in the winter months, and increase watering in the spring season.
Reduce watering when the Babiana enters dormancy after flowering and cut the watering altogether when the stems die, and the leaves begin turning yellow.
Feed your Babiana plants regularly using general-purpose fertilizer, applying fertilizer three times during the growing season.
What Is The Best Soil For Babiana, And When Should You Transplant?
Babiana loves rich, porous, and fertile soils with excellent drainage. It also prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 8.0.
If your soil is not porous, you may amend it using organic materials, such as compost, peat moss, or ground bark.
Here are the steps to follow for planting:
- First, choose a well-draining location with good exposure to full sun.
- Next, plant the babiana corms 4″ to 6″ inches deep with their pointy end facing upwards and about 2″ to 4″ inches apart when growing in a garden. The space will allow the corms to grow and spread profusely.
- Plant the corms about 2″ inches deep in a 12″ large pot for container planting.
- Cover the corms with soil.
- Ensure the soil is kept moist during the growing season.
- It’s best to plant several corms for a stunning floral display in the blooming season.
Does Babiana Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Babiana is a low-maintenance plant and does not need regular pruning.
However, you may cut the flower bulbs to stimulate healthy growth. You may also remove the foliage when the plant reaches its dormancy—around when its leaves die.
How To Propagate Blue Freesia?
Blue Freesia can be propagated in two different methods, such as:
- Through seeds
- Through corms or bulbs
If you’re propagating through seeds, it’s best to do it in spring and, by corms, multiply in fall.
Follow these steps when propagating via seeds:
- First, sow the seeds as soon as they ripen in autumn.
- Plant the sown seeds in a seed tray filled with an amended soil mix (compost or sand).
- Keep the soil moist for 6 weeks or longer until germination.
- Maintain a temperature of 55° to 59° degrees Fahrenheit for germination.
Follow these steps when propagating via corms:
- First, divide or uproot the corms when they reach their dormancy period.
- Next, cut the stems off the divided corms and let their tips or neck dry.
- Then, remove the offsets and replant the corms in a 6″ inches pot or container with sandy soil and loam compost.
Baboon Flower Pests And Disease Problems
Baboon Flowers are generally pest and disease-free flowering plants but may occasionally encounter problems, such as:
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Gray Mold
In case of infestation, it’s best to use an organic pesticide to treat. Make sure to follow the label directions properly.
Uses Of Baboon Flower
Baboon flowers are showy, richly-colored flowering plants that provide a stunning floral display when planted in a garden or container.
They can be grown as indoor or outdoor ornamental plants and make excellent flowers for landscaping, rockeries, borders, and mixed plantings.
In addition, baboon flowers are excellent for cut flowers.