So , you want to produce some lily of the Nile in mint or plant containers .
Those grandiloquent , purple and risque flowers . Those dome - corresponding blossom . And those majestic unripened still hunt .
With the added ability to move them around in pots .
Howawesomewould that be ?
Agapanthus can be used for so many things- ribbon , pathing , butt on , background / foreground industrial plant , centerpiece , and even indoors to brighten up the place .
gratefully , it ’s versatile enough to tolerate being planted in a container . And we ’ll talk about everything you need to know to grow it in a pot .
Let ’s get begin .
Last updated : 11/10/21 .
Guide depicted object
Quick care guide: Agapanthus
What’s agapanthus?
If you ’re trying to grow agapanthus in a container , you credibly already know .
But for those who heard about this gorgeous works from a friend or neighbour , here ’s a abbreviated introduction .
Agapanthus are those tall flowering bi - colored flowers with the signature tune purple snowy , and blue petals . They ’re tall , olympian , and normally uprise in bunches that wait like giant balls of prime .
The base of the plant is a dome - shaped eruption of green leaf with the flowering petals poking out as its many antennae .
While this plant is pretty common , it ’s rarely go through in containers .
They ’re native to some parts of the US , which is why they ’re so commonly found in the southern parts . They ’re also found in Mexico and South Africa , among other countries .
This is where they in all probability got their nickname “ African lily ” even though they ’re not classified as a lily plant .
So just by institute some in pots , you ’re already fend out from the crowd . Put them in your garden , front railway yard , or around the base as decorative pieces .
The good part about turn agapanthus in a plant container is that it ’s easy to relocate them if needed .
So let ’s get set forth already and learn how to raise these gentle giants in can .
Agapanthus is poisonous
take note that this plant is a poisonous and toxic industrial plant to both humans , blackguard , cats , and other creature .
Do n’t let your kids or other mass touch it or ingest it . Keep animals away from them .
As uncouth as it is , the sap from agapanthus will cause skin soreness and sensitized reactions , especially for those that are raw .
Always apply boxing glove and proper protective gear when handling , pruning , or trimming agapanthus .
Can agapanthus be grown in pots?
Agapanthus can be set in pots , provide that the weather condition are optimal .
Like any other plant , when the environment is confined to just a little container , the soil ’s nutritious visibility is critical .
And so is the watering schedule . Both of these need to be optimum for the good industrial plant ontogeny because it does n’t have admission to “ limitless ” resources and “ unlimited ” drain like it would in the filth .
So while you’re able to grow and upgrade perfectly large lily of the Nile in a container , there are some steps to take that disagree from planting in the soil .
Pros and cons of container planting
Pros :
con :
Check your hardiness zone
Planting in the right hardiness zona is the first step to ensure a healthy plant !
You ’d be surprised at how many the great unwashed plant something that ’s not the correct strain or the right plant for where they live . It does n’t form like that .
You require to opt the right cultivar specific to your zone so your plant will boom . This is to see a native environment that the industrial plant can tolerate and does n’t have to fight .
Most agapanthus grow in zona 8 - 10 , but some cultivar are fearless to cold and can tolerate zones as scummy as zone 6 - 7 .
Some cultivar are semi - evergreen , so they can be both types and this depends on the zone they ’re grown in . change the zone changes the type of flora they are .
If you do n’t already cognise your hardiness zona , you’re able to find outhere . Get your geographical zone and then choose a cultivar of agapanthus that shape for you .
There are about 10 agnize mental strain and many loan-blend .
Each one has an optimal growing zone and vary in gloss . If you only care about the color of the petal , start with the hardiness zone first , then pin down it down by coloring material .
Do n’t choose only by color because if it ’s the unseasonable zona , it wo n’t be so hot .
When to plant
The best time to plant is in the fall , right before the winter quiescency period .
This allow the plant the most time it can get to develop firm roots over the spring and summer so it can tolerate the wintertime cold .
The flowers will have been spent and wilt already , so it redirects its energy to the roots and preserves itself for winter .
During this low - energy state , the industrial plant can be transplanted into a new container and slowly acclimate to its new environment .
After the winter , the agapanthus will grow again in the spring and show off its pretty prime for you to bask .
Picking a container
For optimum growth , choose a container large enough to fit a full size , established agapanthus from the showtime .
It ’ll be sleazy overall because you do n’t have to transplant it to a larger slew after on when it outgrows the previous container .
Plus , it has more allowance to pee jive and more soil for nutrient .
Sure , the smaller pot are cheesy . But think of it as an investment funds .
If you must use a small peck , take one that ’s at least 12 ” in diam . It should be at least 14 ” deep for the works to establish strong , wide antecedent systems .
The roots will take up all the space you provide it . So the larger the potty , the longer the root organisation . This will result in sizable blooms with plenty of colors since the flora has plenteous stem to collect food and water from the soil .
take down that if you overdo it , you may have some edition in the number of blooms it produces each year . If the container you chose is too declamatory , you ’ll probably see a plenty of flower in the first time of year or two , but then it taper off the follow years until the roots catch up to the size of the container .
Lastly , you may plant more than one agapanthus per container- ply that it ’s large enough .
The material of the pot does n’t matter . Terra cotta pots are the authoritative container for this plant , but they ’re extremely heavy when you get into the larger sizes .
And they ’re expensive , too .
formative peck are lightweight and less than 1/3 of the price of terra cotta potters , but they do n’t have that potted look to them . It all depends on your preference .
you could start with a cheaper plastic one for your younger industrial plant and upgrade subsequently on if you wish well .
Ceramic pots also expect ripe , but they ’re fleshy and pricey just like terra cotta . Stone and metal pots also live .
They do like to be root-bound
A flying note : Choosing a turgid container is always good practice for most plants- peculiarly for beginners . It beats advance each time the plant life outgrows it , which could be very expensive over sentence .
For agapanthus , you ’ll have to upgrade to a larger pot that ’s about 2″ larger than the former one when it outgrows it .
However , if you choose a pot that ’s way too big , you may not get optimal anthesis either .
This is because agapanthus likes to be ascendant - bound in a way that the root word have-to doe with the edge of the container and start to kink . But they do n’t wish to be cramped and squished .
So this is a poise act . Do n’t choose a container that ’s too small , but do n’t exaggerate it either .
For gadget ’s saki , a larger container will bring through you money and reduce effort because you do n’t require to keep transplant it over and over to a bigger pot .
Ensure proper drainage
This is a must . You need to check the bottom of the pot for proper drain yap .
There should be multiple waste pipe holes , not a individual one because it can get clogged and waterlog your planter . I always indicate at least 3 holes on the bottom to ensure drain even if one gets clogged .
Soil becomes clumpy and hard over meter , especially when plant food is added to the mix . Some plastic pots make you drill the drain hole out yourself .
Do n’t think of this as a drawback ! you could drill them as needed- strategically and multiple so that it does n’t choke off . Adequate drainage is crucial for any plant .
Agapanthus will need it to grow those blue and purple flowers for you to relish .
Make sure it’s secure
Whatever plantation owner you opt , make certain that it ’s bottom - heavy .
The substructure of the pot should be stalwart so that it does n’t tip over at the slightest piece of cake . If high winds are mutual in your area , you should ensure that the plantation owner wo n’t bollix up over or fall over .
employ a wide groundwork with a secure base .
Where to place your container
Your pot should be ideally placed somewhere that receive direct sunshine ( anywhere from 6 - 8 hours daily ) . It should also be free of drafts , firm flatus , and wo n’t ever topple over .
To enjoy the efflorescence , you’re able to place the potter where it ’ll be visible as a foreground industrial plant . corner , sharpness , and terrace centerpiece all are fantabulous places to put the container .
Growing agapanthus in containers
Here are various suggestions to aid you plant your agapanthus in a pile .
Depending on your hardiness geographical zone , cultivar , and your local mood , you ’ll have to adjust as demand .
However , these should work out as general guidelines for raise this industrial plant in a planter regardless .
So let ’s get begin .
Soil type
Choosing the right filth should n’t be a unmanageable decision .
This works is n’t picky about the dirt type you use , but it should have some introductory necessities for optimum plant bloom :
To ameliorate the plant life ’s drainage , you’re able to add some George Sand , rocks , or pebbles at the bag of your planter to help prevent soil from build up up . This will also help keep the waste pipe holes throughput high and stop soil clippety-clop at the infrastructure . Agapanthus does n’t like to have slopped foot , as this will do root rot and fungous problems .
sum up some spare - draining loam compost also helps . you may also consider some coarse sand , gravel , or horticultural grit . These all assist better the grime ’s draining and keep your flora from draw wet feet .
Fill your container
Now that you have a record and soil pick out , you ’re quick to fill your skunk with the substratum that ’ll nourish your agapanthus and feed it !
First , use a 70 % fret alcohol solution and disinfect the entire thing . You do n’t postulate any more bacterial or fungal infections to deal with later on . you may also leave the plantation owner outside in the full sun for a day or so to down any pathogen naturally .
After that , start filling it up with the soil . Do n’t pack it tightly or press down on it . Just let it fulfill of course up to the rim of the container . There should be 2 - 3 ” of space from the brim to the soil open so you have space to water supply without the water escaping over the edge .
Transplanting
So now you have its Modern plate all set up and quick to go . The next pace is up to personal preference on how you want to start out your plant .
remark that this plant comes in a variety of different strains , and some are full hardy while others are half - hardy . But do n’t get careless just because it ’s a full sturdy works .
Even the hardiest plant may need caution over the winter if you ’re in a colder zone . Since you ’re planting in a pot , you may bestow it indoors or into a greenhouse .
Planting from transplants
This is by far the most popular method acting to start . A pre - grown plant from the nursery is ready to go and can be transplanted immediately into its novel family .
This works do in small containers when purchased from the garden center , and you’re able to emulate it at home plate by planting it in an superposable environment .
The industrial plant is already used to its current experimental condition , so if you could create a nearly monovular surroundings , it has the best chance of establish roots in the pot you created .
Plus , it ’ll slim transplant shock as well .
Carefully remove the agapanthus from the original container . Take promissory note of how deep the roots are , how all-embracing the ceramicist is , and how thick it ’s planted .
The beginning will be complex and blanket at the base- with a bunch of clean - yellow runner all clump together . They may start to separate from the original manakin and decrease aside into the container .
That ’s fine , but keep them at the base . endeavor to keep it from shifting too much when you transplant . Note the shape of the roots before you push them into your container .
Do the same with your container and attempt to reproduce it .
The roots should be backfilled with compost and slightly tight to transfer any melodic phrase pockets .
These pockets will create dead zona in your soil and lead to anaerobiotic pathogen .
However , do n’t adjure down on the soil from the top- only the root word . After you finish backfilling the soil , weewee generously for the first time . you may top it off with a small stratum of mulch for body of water holding .
Planting from seed
Starting from seeded player is the slowest method overall and will take metre ( and try out your patience ) .
But it can also be the most rewarding way of produce agapanthus . Choose a cultivar that grows in your hardiness zone ( check the back of the cum packet ) and follow the steering .
I wo n’t go into detail because after sow the seeds and germination , the process is pretty much the same as transplanting .
Depth
implant the theme testis 2 - 3 inches below the soil aerofoil . The top of the root ball should be scarce covered .
Spacing
Space each plant 8 inch aside . If you only have one plant , put it in the middle of the container so it ’s equidistant from all sides . The pot should have at least a 12″ diam .
Sunlight
Agapanthus require full , direct sun for at least 8 hr a 24-hour interval for the cock-a-hoop and best blooms .
you’re able to sneak aside with just 6 hour , but give it 8 for those long green stems and gorgeous purple petal .
Note the opposite word is also true- too much sunlight and you ’ll terminate up burning your foliage .
For those in a high hardiness geographical zone , such as 9 or 10 , you ’ll need to specify the amount of sunshine to just 6 hours .
As you could see , it varies depending on where you live and your hardiness zona . This is why I strain choose a zone that ’s compatible with agapanthus .
Choose somewhere that does n’t experience light all day or just add unreal wraith . Younger plants will need a full year before they make their first flowers .
Supplement with caustic potash throughout the first year until winter to encourage efflorescence development .
How often should you water agapanthus in pots?
lacrimation is a equilibrise act .
Check the dirt moisture contentedness with your finger by dipping it in the first column inch of soil . If it ’s wet , it ’s estimable .
have it go dry totally before you water again .
This flora is tolerant of short period of drouth , so missing a day or so of water wo n’t harm it .
When the rootage system becomes established , agapanthus can handle drought for long full stop . Remember with watering- less is more .
You do n’t want to overdo it and waterlog the roots which can lead to fungous job or stem guff .
Container industrial plant also will evaporate and become dry quicker than their oil - based counterparts .
So if you ’re growing both in the dirt and in containers , your potted agapanthus will necessitate to be water a caboodle more often than the ones planted in the soil .
The material of the pot you chose also makes a remainder . Terra cotta slew are porous , meaning they have thousands of tiny holes that absorb and funnel out weewee .
charge plate or metal pots do n’t have these pore and will keep the water inside the pot- feeding it to the industrial plant roots .
So you have a caboodle of dissimilar variables that all affect how much you need to water :
The well-fixed means is to use a soil meter to monitor the territory vividness tier and H2O when necessary .
Using your finger only measures the top few inches of soil moisture , but not the root systems which can be saturated with water due to poor drainage .
Mulching
A 1 - 2 inch layer of constitutive , gamy - lineament mulch lightly layered on top of your soil can facilitate keep the water conserved and end vaporization . This can facilitate save you a few dollars off your pee flyer .
How many plants per container?
A single industrial plant require about 12 ” of space . If you have a large , 36 ” diameter container , then you could jibe 3 plants .
Use that as a rule of thumb . modest flora can do fine in modest containers .
But when you replant every 2 years or so , either upgrade to a larger pot or part the plant life into their own .
Fertilizer/plant food
Plant food is well appreciated by agapanthus for large , big blooms all time of year .
you could help help your plant to grow its flowers for you to enjoy by using the right fertilizer . It prefers a high phosphorus plant nutrient doubly a year- once in the other spring and then again in early summer .
Choose an NPK military rating of 5 - 10 - 5 or similar for good results . Use as directed , as each manufacturing business ’s feeding regimen deviate .
Do n’t use plant food that has excess nitrogen ( N ) , because this only gives food to the base foliation ( the leave ) rather than the actual blooms . Unless your flora has yellow flowers , do n’t add on any more nitrogen .
A gamey potassium hydroxide fluid fertilizer can be apply hebdomadally in little State during the blossom time of year to serve encourage growth for those who want to maximise their blooms .
Pruning
Agapanthus is an easy to like for and miserable maintenance plant .
There ’s not much to do in terms of pruning or trimming other than removing the efflorescence that are spent at the end of the time of year .
These are easy to identify compared to the rest of the growing flower because they ’ll be turn brown and drop off petals .
disregard them off after they ’ve flower because they ’re just tire get-up-and-go from the plant which could be dedicate for the new flower outgrowth .
you may get more twisting and colorful bloom by write out the spent flowers as soon as they start sag ( when they ’re done blooming ) .
For evergreen lily of the Nile :
foreshorten them at the Qaeda of their still hunt so you do n’t have empty stalking just float around . The entire chaff is good to move out as it wo n’t regrow another blossom . Remove all idle petals , leaves , stalks , etc .
For deciduous agapanthus :
Cut them back just a few inches from the ground horizontal surface . Leave about 3 - 6 ” of stalk left behind after it blooms . The leafage will mechanically die back on its own after the flower has been spent .
Moving to a bigger container
If you started with a small pot , you ’ll eventually have to move your plant to a larger one so it can make grow properly .
You ’ll want to check on your roots every 2 or 3 year to see if they ’re curling against the edge of the container . If so , you ’ll demand a larger pile .
Transplant it by gently dig out the dirt surrounding the plant and softly uproot it- just like you did when you first brought it home from the nursery .
You do n’t have to upgrade the container decently then and there .
It ’s all right if the roots tint the edges as agapanthus like being somewhat root word - jump and constricted .
But when you notice the root system start to curl because they ’re hitting the edges of your pot , then it ’s clock time to graft it to a bigger one .
Do you deadhead?
There ’s no need to mess around with the industrial plant ’s flower petal and deadhead . Just prune the total stalk off at the base consequently .
When it ’s done flowering , rationalize off the spend flowers by the stalk . Do n’t run off time deadheading it to precision .
When should I repot my agapanthus?
Repot in the fall to a container that ’s about 2 - 3 inches larger in diam than the current one .
you could divide your agapanthus easy into modest plant life and propagate them .
Fall is the best meter to divide and repot because it ’s aright before their dormancy period and they already have all the established root word necessary from the summertime and spring grow time of year .
Thus , they ’re done develop what they can for the wintertime . After overwintering , they ’ll grow again next leap .
Dividing agapanthus in pots
This is a process . The easy way to divide is to cut the plant foundation . Find the basal area of the root ball after you cautiously uproot the flora .
Cut through the basal area , each piece with its own readiness of roots and root chunk . They should be nearly identical in terms of what they have .
The would that was cut should be coated with a rooting endocrine so it can establish roots .
Then each freshly divided works can be put into their new containers in a protective stead . Do n’t water for a few twenty-four hours until the expose cut heals . This will help reduce the risk of bacterial or fungous infections .
Keep the soil ironic until they become established .
you’re able to add works food for thought if needed by mixing it into the soil , not by piss . The new root will formulate after 30 twenty-four hours and runners will shoot out into the dirt .
Avoid fraction in the summertime because this can vote down your plant . Only split in the fall .
Here ’s a video that shows the process :
When to divide
separate and propagate in the fall , as this contribute your agapanthus sight of meter to develop firm roots for the winter .
Winter care in pots
Deciduous strains are hardy than their evergreen counterparts , so they do n’t need as much tending and attention during the wintertime .
They go fully hibernating during this time , so they can be left alone outside in the low temperature . If you ’re out in the colder zones ( like geographical zone 6 ) , add some protect
Evergreens are sensible to the frigid conditions in the wintertime , so they ’ll need to be relocated to a sheltered area in the cold time of year .
Thankfully , you develop them in raft so they can easy be move around . That ’s the frosting on the cake , correct ?
you’re able to expend a glasshouse , or move them indoors during this time .
Do n’t let them succumb to the extraneous temperatures because they do n’t tolerate the cold well . These are n’t inhuman - fearless flora . A gay spot in your home next to a windowpane works .
Keep the temperature above 50F at all times until winter passes .
Then you’re able to relocate it back out of doors in your garden .
During this prison term , you only require to irrigate once or twice a week . demarcation line watering and only contribute more water when the soil has start dry . Agapanthus does n’t need much in full term of acclimation .
Basic agapanthus care
Here are some backsheesh for take care of your potted agapanthus .
Because they ’re growing in container , the care is slightly different than if you were to grow them in soil .
However , we ’ll hide the heart of what you call for to bed .
Does agapanthus like sun or shade?
This plant savor plenty of direct sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Although some strains may grow in shade , it wo n’t grow goodly origin and flowers .
You ’ll also have fewer blooms per class and they wo n’t be as enceinte or coloured as a flora that ’s had its share of sunlight . Choose a fix that has plenty of direct ignition .
Planting from a locoweed allows you to move your plant around to get all the sun it needs .
Does n’t that make you finger a bit less worried ?
Potted agapanthus not flowering
If your potted plant is n’t flowering , try checking the soil profile .
It require to be higher in phosphorus than nitrogen or K .
If you have too much atomic number 7 , only the unripened foliation will develop . Supplement with more phosphate if this is the case .
When do they start to shoot?
They flower in the spring until winter .
New plants will necessitate at least 1 year before they develop shoots and flowers . Established plants will grow shoot and flower every year if the veracious concern is provide .
Do they come back every year?
Agapanthus is a perennial industrial plant so it come back to regrow flowers and blooming once again if properly cared for .
unhappily , many citizenry bribe this works from the garden center only to keep it until wintertime then throw it out .
So even though this plant is perennial , many multitude only raise it as an yearly due to poor fear proficiency .
What to do after they finish flowering?
rationalize the entire angry walk off with the spent peak so the plant can redirect zip to the modernize flower and leafage . There ’s no need to keep the spent stubble around .
Cut them back to size of it depending on if it ’s an evergreen or deciduous plant , as they take unlike cut back lengths .
Do they flower more than once?
Yes , agapanthus flowers every year being a perennial plant . They only flower once per season but will flow again next time of year .
New plants only flower after 1 - 2 years after they ’ve rooted in good order . Be patient .
With proper maintenance , you ’ll get a flowering season every spring . you could encourage the plant to blossom with potassium hydroxide industrial plant supplement or fertilizer .
When the plant becomes established , it flowers every twelvemonth , once per yr .
When do they flower?
Agapanthus set about to bloom in the summertime around June to August depending on the cultivar . They flower for weeks at a time before going into winter dormancy .
What can you do with agapanthus?
This plant is extremely various and can be used for a multitude of different projects .
A lot of gardeners like to describe their pathways or border edging with this plant .
The tall , bloom blooms adhere out of the dim green foliage like feeler trying to get a sense of that smart raw atmosphere and sunlight . you could also meld and match with them complementary colors to create a landscape painting scene .
With the prevalent colors being majestic and aristocratic , agapanthus snuff it well withchrysanthemums , fuchsias , and pansies .
The magniloquent flush also make this plant life well suited for a centrepiece of a focal point in corners .
Here are some suggestions for agapanthus :
Further reading
Here are some handy resources you may find oneself helpful :
Now you know how to plant agapanthus flowers in containers
Go ahead and set these tall , bi - colored perennials in your yard and color it up .
With the portability of planting them in container , you could move them around as you wish .
No need to worry about if a positioning is perfect or not- you may enjoin just by how the plant reacts and relocate it consequently as need .
Agapanthus has many different role and I ’m sure you ’ll find yours within a few day .
Though , the ability to move it around may make that determination a little ruffianly .
I ’ve always been concerned in horticulture , but I never take it badly until I was forcefully endue an orchid . This was what got me into the rocking horse and I ’ve never looked back . I enjoy writing about it , but not about as much as pay off into the dirt and sculpting the unadulterated decorative ornamental to love for the times .
