forest lily
Veltheimia capensis
RHS AGM 1993
USDA zones9 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Arching
- Bloom season
- Autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Pink, white
- Foliage color
- Blue, gray/silver
- Soil types
- Sand
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Forest lily (Veltheimia capensis) is a bulb for borders, containers, rock gardens, and accents. 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 full or part sun and dry to moist, sandy soil. The flowers range from whitish spotted with red to pink with a greenish tip or wine-red. Its glaucous green leaves arch gracefully, and the blooms appear in winter and early spring.
Pairs well with Cyclamen, Sago palm, and Kimberly queen fern.
Native range
S Africa (SW Cape Provence & Namaqualand).