forest lily
Veltheimia bracteata
RHS AGM 1993
USDA zones9 to 11
SunHandles partial sun to partial shade
WaterNeeds moderate soil
Size18 to 24 inches tall12 to 18 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Clumping
- Bloom season
- Spring, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Pink
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Forest lily (Veltheimia bracteata) is a bulb for containers, shade gardens, rock gardens, and accent planting. It grows outdoors year-round in USDA zone 9 and warmer, down to about 20°F (-7°C). In colder areas, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors for winter. This plant likes part sun or part shade, average moisture, and sandy, loamy, or chalky soil. It forms a clumping mound of evergreen green leaves with pink blooms. Butterflies and birds visit it.
Pairs well with Evergold sedge, Blue star fern, and Green and gold.
Native range
Africa.