In the home, flowering plants are often used to increase the decoration of interiors and exteriors. The agapanto is one of the plants that favors decoration. It is a rather extravagant plant with a lot of presence and is usually grown from late spring to early fall. The agapanthus care they are not very complicated and can give you very good advantages at home.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you about the main care of the Agapanto, its characteristics and a few other things.
Contents
main Features
Agapanthus Africanus is better known as Agapanthus, Love Flower and African Lily. It belongs to the lily family and is native to South Africa, although today you can find it in many parts of the world. It is an evergreen plant with tuberous roots. Due to the beauty of its flowers, it is widely used in the decoration of horticultural gardens. It can also be used in pots or in beds along walls or hedges. The shape of the flowers allows them to be cut into traditional dried bouquets.
The agapanto is harmonious and pleasing to the eye, because it has an average height between 1 and 1.5 meters, linear leaves about 30 cm long and of a characteristic intense green color. To this must be added its beautiful lilac or white flowers, presented in umbels of 20 to 30 flowers. The flowering period of the plant is between late spring and summer, so it is the best time for agapanthus, although other times of the year also have great ornamental value because it maintains abundant foliage during the four seasons.
If there is any objection it is that it takes two to three years to flower the first time, whereas once it flowers, it flowers every year.
Agapanthus treatment
Agapanto grows well in full sun to partial shade. Depending on the climate, the best place is one or the other, because in very hot places it is ideal to protect the plants a little from the intense rays of the sun. Although it should be placed in a well-lit area, it is inconvenient to keep it under direct sunlight for too long. Especially in the middle of the day or at the hottest time of the year.
The plant is hardy and tolerates -15 degrees Celsius, but it is better to protect it from severe frosts, because the Agapanto will lose its leaves once it exceeds -8 degrees Celsius. If you live in an area with cold winters, it’s best to protect it and bring it indoors.
The plant can grow in all types of soil as long as it is fertile and well-drained.. Soil drainage is essential so that puddles do not form due to rain and irrigation water. Watering should be regular but not excessive, as it is a humidity intolerant plant, especially in winter. This is also one of the reasons why soil drainage must be good. Under no circumstances should water accumulate as the roots will rot. During flowering, watering should be increased. This helps the flowers grow stronger and showier.
Agapanto is a pest and disease resistant plant, but it should be checked from time to time to avoid snail attacks, as it is fragile for them. We know that snails should only be removed manually and avoid too much humidity so that they do not grow on the plants. Indeed, location is key. Find a more ventilated area where the wind prevents excess water from accumulating.
With this care, your plants are likely to grow and develop in great condition, improving the landscape of the garden even if you don’t have much time to tend to them.
Curiosities
This plant is called the flower of love, the crown or the African lily. It is called the flower of love because it has existed between couples for a long time. The colors of its leaves and flowers are very attractive and relaxing. In fact, the word agapanthus comes from the Greek word agape, which means love. One aspect that does not go unnoticed is that it has up to 30 flowers per stem. Even so, its ornamental value is simply eye-catching. In other words, it is not a plant with an aroma.
It is necessary to be careful with the small ones in the house and with the domestic animals because it is a poisonous plant. If ingested, it can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Additionally, sage can cause inflammation and dermatitis when it comes in contact with the skin. Some say it’s the perfect metaphor for love. Love can sometimes hurt like this plant.
May breed in early fall or spring. This is the best time for it to develop well. Within Agapanto, there are several species such as Albus, which has white flowers; Aureus, which has golden flowers; Sapphire, which has dark blue flowers; and Variegatus, which has white leaves with a green tint.
Transplantation
We have seen that Agapanthus is an adaptable and easy to grow plant. They are characterized by long flower stalks with an inflorescence ranging from white to lilac at the tip. Its flowering period is at the end of spring and summer, so it can be transplanted in autumn and winter since it is in a period of vegetative rest, once planted it usually takes two to three years to flower.
Once the planting holes have been made, we add a little planting medium in each hole to improve the soil. There is no doubt that the Agapanto is a flower full of life and color that can brighten up your home in the summer. Of course, if you decide to add one to your home, keep in mind that it should be kept away from pets and children.
As you can see, the Agapanto is quite a decorative plant even though it has no aromas. It is quite easy to maintain and we only have to take into account some important aspects.
Hopefully, with this information, you can learn more about Agapanto care and its characteristics.