Quick Tips On Veltheimia Care
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Light: Full sun to light shade
- Temperature: 50° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit at night
- Water: Watered rarely; Moderately moist soil
- Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer
- Propagation: Seeds, offsets, or leaf cuttings
- Common Problems: Fungal diseases, snails, slugs, caterpillars
Veltheimia (vel-thay-mee-uh) is a bulbous perennial that belongs to the genus Veltheimia and is a member of the Asparagaceae, also known as the Asparagus family.
Veltheimia is closely related to Scilla, Chionodoxa, Asparagus, Yucca plants, Brimeura, and Solomons seal.
The genus Veltheimia was derived in honor of August Ferdinand von Veltheim, a German botany patron, mineralogist, and geologist (1741–1801).
This tender, bulbous perennial is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa and abundantly grows in coastal scrub and forest areas.
Veltheimia is a striking flowering plant that is well-known for its noteworthy inflorescence of tubular flowers carried on purplish erect stalks.
The flowers are above a rosette of glossy, strap-shaped leaves.
Veltheimia goes by several common names, including:
- Cape lily
- Forest lily
It also has two recognized Veltheimia species that bloom at different times of the year.
They are:
- Veltheimia bracteata
- Veltheimia capensis
Veltheimia bracteata is known to grow in the Eastern Cape of Africa and can be found in coastal and forest srub locations.
In contrast, Veltheimia capensis comes from western South Africa, the dryer or winter-rainfall region.
Among the two Veltheimia species, Veltheimia bracteata is the most known and grown species.
Veltheimia bracteata also received the Award of Garden Merit from the United Kingdom Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
Veltheimia Bulb Care
How Big Does The Cape Lily Grow?
Veltheimia has a moderate to fast growth rate, often reaching 18″ to 24″ inches tall and 12” inches wide.
Cape lily commonly reaches maturity around 2 to 5 years.
When Does Cape Lily Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Veltheimia is an ornamental bulb prized for its simple inflorescence that bears drooping of raceme tubular flowers and reaches 1″ to 3″ inches long.
The flowers are usually red, pink, yellow, or white, but the color varies depending on the bloom time.
Each inflorescence appears as dense, elongated spikes atop purplish long, erect stems that are 12″ to 16″ inches long.
Moreover, the flower stems of cape lily shoot above the center of the basal rosette of glossy, narrowly bluish-green lance-shaped leaves, growing 16″ inches long and 1″ to 2″ inches across.
In addition, the Cape lily bears tiny pear-shaped papery seeds.
The two Veltheimia species bloom at different times of the year.
Veltheimia bracteata often blooms in spring, while Veltheimia capensis starts flowering from fall to early winter.
These two have a sweet scent and are strongest in the paler Veltheimia flowers.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Veltheimia is not a tropical flowering plant but thrives in full sun to light shade locations.
It’s suitable for planting in the south–or east–facing aspect.
The ideal temperature for Cape lily is around 60° degrees Fahrenheit, especially during its active growing and flowering season.
Cape lily grown indoors should be kept at nighttime temperatures of about 50° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit, especially in winter.
Although Veltheimia can tolerate light frost, it’s best to plant it in a sheltered spot with an overhead tree canopy to protect Veltheimia plants from frost damage.
In addition, Veltheimia grows best in USDA Hardiness zones 8 to 10.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Cape Lily?
Veltheimia plants need to watered every 3 to 6 days to ensure the soil is moderately moist during the growing and flowering period (autumn and winter).
However, it should be watered rarely during its rest period to prevent overwatering.
For fertilizer application, feed your cape lily with liquid fertilizer twice a month during its growing and flowering season to prolong the flower’s life.
However, remember to stop feeding it after flowering.
What Is The Best Soil For Veltheimia, And When Should You Transplant?
Veltheimia thrives in moderately fertile and well-drained soil.
It also grows well in loamy soil rich in humus, with neutral to acidic pH levels.
When grown in pots, it’s best to use a soil-based potting mix amended with sharp sand.
You can also do the following mixture:
- 1 part of coarse sand or perlite
- 1 part of the garden land
- 1 part of wet peat or humus
- lime
It’s best to transplant Cape lily every 2 to 3 years.
Does Veltheimia Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Veltheimia is generally low maintenance and won’t need regular grooming.
However, you can cut back its flowers as they fade.
How To Propagate Cape Lily?
Cape lily can be propagated via three methods:
- Seeds
- Offsets
- Leaf cuttings
Among the three propagation methods, via seeds is the easiest. Remember, it’s best to do this method in autumn.
Also, the Veltheimia seeds are stored in long, inflated capsules.
Here are the things you need to do:
- Once the pods are dry, harvest the seeds.
- The sowing medium should equal parts of sand, fine compost, loam, or bark.
- Sow the seeds thinly, about 3 to 4 mm deep, allowing them room to develop.
- Keep the sown seeds moist and shaded.
- Feed the seeds with a diluted liquid fertilizer every two weeks once they have germinated.
- Remember that the cape lily seeds generally take 3 to 4 years to flower.
Veltheimia Pests And Diseases
Veltheimia plants are generally pest and disease-free but may occasionally be attacked by caterpillars, snails, or slugs.
These bulbous perennials need protection as snails and slugs can damage the leaves, and caterpillars may eat the flower buds.
Cape lilies may also be a target of fungal diseases if the dormant cape lily bulbs fail to remain dry during summer.
Uses Of Forest Lily
Forest lilies feature brightly-colored striking tubular flowers, making them excellent choices for indoor houseplants, containers, or pot plants, especially for shady patios.
They also make a lovely addition to your sunny borders, rock garden, or butterfly garden.
In addition, Veltheimia plants are also attractive to avian species like hummingbirds, which help in pollination.
If you want a beautiful flowering plant for your garden, the Forest lily will definitely suit you well!