Asparagaceae
Albuca abyssinia
Abyssinian Albuca
H
Available in our catalogue
We propagate this species and you can order it from our catalogue.
View in catalogue →About
This hairless perennial herb grows from a bulb, typically reaching heights of 60 to 100 cm, with some inflorescences extending up to 2 metres. It features linear to lance-shaped leaves that can grow up to 1 metre long, sometimes appearing after the flowering period. Nodding, yellowish-green flowers, often striped with green, are borne in terminal racemes and emit a sweet, anise-like scent.
Where it works in Kilifi
Ideal for a Kilifi-coast garden, this plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-drained, sandy soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and works well as a specimen plant, in rock gardens, or on slopes, given its considerable height and striking inflorescences.
Growing notes
Albuca abyssinica is a slow-growing plant that benefits from consistent watering during planting but is drought-tolerant once established. It forms fist-sized bulbs and can be propagated by division or seed, with seedlings typically flowering in their third year. Ensure superior drainage to prevent bulb rot, as it is not frost-hardy.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: selinawamucii.com, malawiflora.com, wikipedia.org, capriviflora.com, jstor.org, eplantai.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.