Introducing the Veltheimia bracteata, known as forest lily, which is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the family Asparagaceae. Native to the Western Cape region of South Africa, it gets its name forest lily because it is often found growing in the shady understory of forests. It is also known as the Cape Lily plant or Unicorn root.
The forest lily plant can grow as an evergreen plant in frost-free areas with consistent rainfall throughout the year. The plant can grow up to 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide.
A South African semi-deciduous winter bulb produces glossy green leaves with wavy margins. The leaves are long and strap-like, and the flowers are clustered on a tall stalk.
The Veltheimia bracteata bulb blooms in the winter and is actively growing during the cold months, and its blossoms appear in late winter or early spring.
The flowers are usually pink or reddish in color and have a trumpet-like shape.
After flowering, when regrowth begins, the plant will go dormant for some time.
In late summer and early autumn, new leaves will emerge.
Before it blooms, the buds stand upright.
They will continue to arch outward as they grow. When the buds open, they'll be pointing down.
When it comes to Veletheimias bracteate care, it is a drought-tolerant plant that can be grown in light shade and is ideal for shade gardens. It can be nearly evergreen in the summer but will rot if the soil doesn't drain well. To grow, allow the soil to dry out in the summer, with new foliage emerging in the fall. During summer dormancy, the soil should be kept dry, and watering should be resumed when new growth is visible.
The forest lily plant is easy to grow outdoors in shaded areas in USDA zones 9-11, with occasional to infrequent irrigation in the Mediterranean climate. However, the New York Botanical Garden Encyclopedia of Horticulture recommends growing it indoors in other climates, ensuring a temperature between 50 and 55° F from fall to spring. If you live in a colder region, you can grow it as a houseplant or in a greenhouse.
When it comes to propagation, the forest lily can be propagated through offsets or bulb division. You can separate the offsets from the parent plant and plant them in a well-draining potting mix. It may take a couple of years for the new plants to reach maturity and start blooming.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to add something truly exceptional to your garden. Order your very own forest lily Veltheimia bracteate for sale today!
Bloom Season
Flower Color
Growth Rate
Hardiness Zone
Mature Size
Plant Type
Resistance
Sun Exposure
Watering Needs
| Bloom Season | Late winter, early winter |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Veltheimia bracteata |
| Common Name | Forest Lily, Cape Lily Plant |
| Dormancy | Early Summer |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Flower Color | Pink, reddish |
| Genus | Veltheimia |
| Growth Habit | Bulbous flowering plant |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 1 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide |
| Native Area | South Africa |
| Plant Type | Flowering Plant |
| Propagation | By offsets, bulb division |
| Resistance | Extremely drought-tolerant, deer resistance, heat tolerant |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | Succulents potting mix soil |
| Special Features | Easy to grow |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic for humans, mildly toxic for pets |
| Watering Needs | Low |
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
- Description
- Key Plant Features
Introducing the Veltheimia bracteata, known as forest lily, which is a beautiful flowering plant that belongs to the family Asparagaceae. Native to the Western Cape region of South Africa, it gets its name forest lily because it is often found growing in the shady understory of forests. It is also known as the Cape Lily plant or Unicorn root.
The forest lily plant can grow as an evergreen plant in frost-free areas with consistent rainfall throughout the year. The plant can grow up to 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide.
A South African semi-deciduous winter bulb produces glossy green leaves with wavy margins. The leaves are long and strap-like, and the flowers are clustered on a tall stalk.
The Veltheimia bracteata bulb blooms in the winter and is actively growing during the cold months, and its blossoms appear in late winter or early spring.
The flowers are usually pink or reddish in color and have a trumpet-like shape.
After flowering, when regrowth begins, the plant will go dormant for some time.
In late summer and early autumn, new leaves will emerge.
Before it blooms, the buds stand upright.
They will continue to arch outward as they grow. When the buds open, they'll be pointing down.
When it comes to Veletheimias bracteate care, it is a drought-tolerant plant that can be grown in light shade and is ideal for shade gardens. It can be nearly evergreen in the summer but will rot if the soil doesn't drain well. To grow, allow the soil to dry out in the summer, with new foliage emerging in the fall. During summer dormancy, the soil should be kept dry, and watering should be resumed when new growth is visible.
The forest lily plant is easy to grow outdoors in shaded areas in USDA zones 9-11, with occasional to infrequent irrigation in the Mediterranean climate. However, the New York Botanical Garden Encyclopedia of Horticulture recommends growing it indoors in other climates, ensuring a temperature between 50 and 55° F from fall to spring. If you live in a colder region, you can grow it as a houseplant or in a greenhouse.
When it comes to propagation, the forest lily can be propagated through offsets or bulb division. You can separate the offsets from the parent plant and plant them in a well-draining potting mix. It may take a couple of years for the new plants to reach maturity and start blooming.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to add something truly exceptional to your garden. Order your very own forest lily Veltheimia bracteate for sale today!
