Sandersonia – Plant

Planting and care

Sandersonia loves a sunny spot with well-drained loamy soil enriched with complete fertilizer. They only require water during the growing period until the flowers have finished, we then find it to be more drought tolerant than we expected. However, they do not like to be too wet over winter.

Caring for Sandersonia

• The tube has two fleshy prongs emerging from the central ‘bulb
• These prongs should be planted down and covered with 2 inches (5 cm) of topsoil with about 3.1 inches (8 cm) between each tuber.
• When shoots emerge they need to be protected from snails and slugs as they find them most desirable.
• They will do well in a pot or container so long as there is good drainage.
• They increase by making a new tuber each from the growing prong and often a small ‘nut’ on the other prong.
• They can also be grown from seed which is usually ready to harvest at the end of April.
• Seed should be planted early winter, sown thinly in trays or pots using a very well drained potting medium and covered with 0.4 inches (1 cm) of a mixture.

Typical uses of Sandersonia

Special features: It has an excellent shelf life of between 10-20 days, with the blooms continuing to mature up the stem over this period.

Ornamental use: The plant is used for ornamental purpose