Advanced
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Agapanthus africanus (African blue lily)
3 hours care
per year
per year
0.8m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Agapanthus africanus
Other names
African blue lily
Genus
Agapanthus Agapanthus
Species
A. africanus - A. africanus is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial with strap-like leaves and umbels of trumpet-shaped, deep blue flowers in late summer.
Agapanthus africanus is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Upright
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free, but a virus disease may be a problem.
General care
Pruning
No need to cut down in the autumn, as the seedheads look attractive over winter
Propagation
Propagate by division every 3 to 4 years in spring.
Propagation methods
Division
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Agapanthus africanus (African blue lily) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Coastal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Containers, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Can also grow in a container. In cold areas, mulch well overwinter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Agapanthus africanus
Other names
African blue lily
Genus
Agapanthus Agapanthus
Species
A. africanus - A. africanus is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial with strap-like leaves and umbels of trumpet-shaped, deep blue flowers in late summer.
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Upright
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Blue in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free, but a virus disease may be a problem.
General care
Pruning
No need to cut down in the autumn, as the seedheads look attractive over winter
Propagation
Propagate by division every 3 to 4 years in spring.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Agapanthus africanus (African blue lily) will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Coastal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Containers, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Can also grow in a container. In cold areas, mulch well overwinter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Agapanthus africanus (African blue lily)
Common pest name
Agapanthus gall midge
Scientific pest name
Enigmadiplosis agapanthi
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Present (Limited)
Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Previously unknown gall midge; reported to be affecting Agapanthus across southern England with findings also in the north of England. Stakeholder led research and awareness will help to determine its distribution and consider suppression options.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
summer 2020
Summer 2020
Summer 2020
Summer 2020
Agapanthus africanus "Flower of Love"
(01/11/2011)
(01/11/2011)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By Surrey based garden designer Karen Holley. A busy professional couple wanted a sunny Mediterranean garden in their south facing property, with easy access to the gym at the end of the garden for… read more
By garden designer Thomas Hoblyn. The Dubai Majlis Garden is inspired by the celebrated multiculturalism of the Emirate of Dubai, where more than 3 million people from over 200… read more
By Hertfordshire based garden designer Judy Shardlow of Heartwood Garden Design. This garden was designed to create a relaxing traditional English garden and in particular to create a warm enclosed… read more
By west London based garden designer Jonathan Snow. Jonathan’s inspiration for his Trailfinders Garden is the Winelands of the Western Cape of South Africa. read more
By London based garden designer Pippa Schofield. The brief for this garden was to change the whole way the garden was organised. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Have I lost my agapanthus?
There is 1 active discussion about Agapanthus africanus (African blue lily)
View all discussions