African Lily Agapanthus 'Isis'

☠ Toxic to humans
🐾 Toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
African lily 'Isis'

ABOUT

Agapanthus 'Isis' is a striking perennial plant commonly known as the African Lily or Lily of the Nile. It is noted for its beautiful, spherical clusters of funnel-shaped flowers, which are typically a deep blue or violet in color, and emerge from the plant's sturdy, upright stems. These globular inflorescences create a dramatic display that can catch anyone's eye in a garden setting. The individual blooms radiate outward from the center of the cluster, presenting a starburst pattern that adds to their visual appeal. The African Lily's foliage consists of long, arching, strap-like leaves that are a vibrant green. Together, they form a lush, dense base from which the flowering stems arise. The leaves are somewhat fleshy, with a smooth texture that contrasts nicely with the delicate flowers above. The overall appearance of the Agapanthus 'Isis' is one of elegance and bold color, with a regal presence enhanced by the spectacular flower heads that sway gently above the greenery. Its bloom season adds further interest to gardens, with the plant typically producing its resplendent flower display in the summer months. The Agapanthus 'Isis' is a popular choice for ornamental landscaping, providing a touch of exotic beauty to beds, borders, and containers.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Synonyms

      African Lily, Lily of the Nile, Love Flower.

    • Common names

      Agapanthus 'Isis'.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • Life cycle

      Perennials

    • Foliage type

      Evergreen

    • Color of leaves

      Green

    • Flower color

      Blue

    • Height

      2 feet [60 cm]

    • Spread

      2 feet [60 cm]

    • Plant type

      Bulb

    • Hardiness zones

      8

    • Native area

      South Africa

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Attracts pollinators: Agapanthus, commonly known as Lily of the Nile, is attractive to bees and butterflies, helping to promote biodiversity in the garden.
    • Easy to grow: Lily of the Nile is known for its low maintenance requirements, making it an easy plant for gardeners of varying experiences.
    • Drought tolerant: Once established, it has low water needs and can tolerate dry conditions, which is beneficial in water-scarce areas.
    • Long blooming period: With a lengthy flowering period during the summer months, it provides long-lasting visual interest in the landscape.
    • Versatile planting options: They can be planted in borders, as focal points, or in containers, offering flexibility in garden design.
    • Resistant to pests: Generally resistant to most pests, reducing the need for chemical pest controls.
    • Deer resistant: The foliage and flowers tend to be resistant to deer, which is beneficial for gardens in areas with deer populations.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Artistic Inspiration: Agapanthus, with its striking blue flowers, is often used as a muse for painters and photographers looking for natural beauty to capture.
    • Dye Source: The blue and purple shades of the Lily of the Nile flowers can be used to create natural dyes for fabric and textiles.
    • Bee Attractant: Agapanthus can serve as a beneficial addition to gardens aiming to attract and support bee populations in an area.
    • Erosion Control: With its robust root system, the Lily of the Nile can be planted on slopes or areas prone to erosion to help hold soil in place.
    • Landscape Borders: Agapanthus is often utilized as a border plant in landscaping to create clear divisions between different garden sections or properties.
    • Culinary Garnish: While not typically considered edible, the unique appearance of Agapanthus flowers can be used to garnish and decorate food plates in high-end culinary presentations.
    • Environmental Education: Botanical gardens and educational institutions may grow Agapanthus to teach about different plant species and horticulture.
    • Cultural Symbolism: In certain cultures, the Lily of the Nile may represent love, fertility, or purity and thus be used in cultural ceremonies and events.
    • Frost Indicator: In some temperate regions, gardeners might use the Agapanthus as an indicator plant to judge when the temperatures are approaching frost, as certain changes in the plant's appearance might suggest a temperature drop.
    • Leisure Activities: People use Agapanthus plants as part of leisure gardening clubs and societies, where enthusiasts meet to exchange plant care tips and showcase their cultivated specimens.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The African Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The African Lily is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Love Letters: The name "Agapanthus" is derived from the Greek words 'agape' meaning love, and 'anthos' meaning flower. Often referred to as the "flower of love," it symbolizes a message of love or a love letter.
    • Beauty: Agapanthus is commonly known as the African Lily or the Lily of the Nile. It is admired for its striking blue and purple flowers that are reminiscent of lilies, symbolizing beauty and elegance.
    • Enduring Love: African Lily blooms in clusters that resemble a unity, often representing lasting love or an enduring relationship because of their robustness and the way they endure through various conditions.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
40%
Humidity
🪴
Every 3-4 years
Repotting
🌱️
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning
  • water dropWater

    Lily of the Nile, or Agapanthus 'Isis', should be watered deeply once a week during its growing season, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Provide about one to two gallons of water per plant, ensuring that the water reaches the root zone without waterlogging the soil. During the dormant season, reduce watering to every other week or when the soil is dry to the touch, especially if the weather is cool or overcast. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's important to ensure good drainage.

  • sunLight

    Lily of the Nile prefers full sun to partial shade, thriving best in a location where it receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. An ideal spot would be a south-facing or west-facing garden bed that is sheltered from harsh afternoon sun in extremely hot climates.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Lily of the Nile can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but grows best in conditions between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It's hardy to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but any prolonged exposure below this can damage the plant. The ideal temperature helps ensure prolific blooming and healthy foliage growth.

  • scissorsPruning

    Prune Lily of the Nile after it has finished blooming to remove spent flower stalks and encourage additional blooms. Cut back halfway to the base of the plant to promote bushier growth and deadhead regularly. The best time for major pruning is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    African Lily (Agapanthus 'Isis') prefers well-draining soil with a blend of potting soil, compost, and sand or perlite to ensure good drainage. The ideal soil pH for African Lily is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.

  • plantRepotting

    African Lily should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, as they prefer to be slightly root-bound. The best time to repot is in the spring before the growing season begins.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    African Lily thrives in average humidity levels, around 40% to 60%. They do not require high humidity and can tolerate the drier air found indoors.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Place in bright, indirect light; keep at room temperature.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in sunny spot; protect from extreme cold.

    • Hardiness zone

      8-11 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    The life cycle of Agapanthus 'Isis', commonly known as the African Lily or Lily of the Nile, begins with seed germination, which occurs in a moist, well-drained substrate under warm temperatures. Seedlings emerge with their first set of true leaves and continue to develop a strong root system. Vegetative growth proceeds with the formation of strap-like leaves that form a dense clump as the plant matures. In summer, flowering stalks shoot up above the foliage, bearing clusters of trumpet-shaped blue or purple flowers. After blooming, seeds are formed in pods that eventually dry and split open to disperse seeds for the next generation. Finally, the plant enters a period of dormancy during the cooler months, especially in climates with cooler winters, where the foliage may die back before regenerating in the spring.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Spring-Early Summer

    • The Agapanthus, commonly known as the Lily of the Nile, can be propagated by division, which is the most popular method. This process is typically done in the spring or early fall. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the clump of Agapanthus strains after the flowering season when the plant is dormant, ensuring minimal root disturbance. Use a sharp spade or knife to separate the clump into smaller sections, each with at least one or two growing points or fans of leaves. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing before and water them thoroughly, allowing for about 15 to 18 inches (approximately 38 to 46 cm) between each plant to give them enough space to grow. The soil should be well-draining, and the plants should be kept moist until they are established.