Camassia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 20th Oct 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Camassia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Wild Hyacinth, Camass, & Quamash: Cultivation & Garden Use

Camassia are hardy bulbs. They can grow up to 2 m in size but smaller varieties can be as little as 30 cm in size.

They carry white or blue star like flowers. Common names for garden plants from the genus Camassia include Camass, Missouri Hyacinth, Wild Hyacinth and Quamash.

Plants normally flowers from late spring to summer.

Visit this page if you are interested in growing Garden Hyacinth.

Camassia leichtlinii photographs by Cliff1066 and Tom Bech.

How to Grow Wild Hyacinth (Camassia)

Members of the Camassia genus should be grown outdoor. Bulbs should be buried to a depth of 12 cm in the autumn.

Alternatively ripe seed can be sown in flats (faced north)in the the summer; just cover the seed with topsoil, then cover the flats with glass.

The seeds of wild hyacinth and other Camassia members normally takes from one to six months to germinate. The seedlings will be ready for transplanting after two years of growth.

Camassia seedlings should be spaced about 15 to 20 cm apart in a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden, which has moist, slightly acidic soil and good drainage.

Camassia quamash (Camas) by Brewbooks.

Caring for Camassia species in your garden

It will take about five years for Camassia plants grown from seed to reach a mature state in which they will flower.

During this growth period, they should be lightly fertilized every spring, and frequently watered.

Camassia Growing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Camass, Quamash, Missouri Hyacinth, Wild Hyacinth, Bear Grass.
Family: Asparagaceae.
Life Cycle: Hardy bulb.
Height: 12 to 72 inches (30 to 180 cm).
Native: Northern America.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 9.
Flowers: Late spring and throughout to summer.
Flower Details: Blue, white, cream, violet, lilac. Star-shaped. Six petals. Raceme.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Linear.
Sow Outside: Usually grown from Camassia bulbs as seed grown plants will not bear flowers for about five years.
Bulb: 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm). Autumn. Spacing 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23 cm).
Seed: cover. Summer from fresh seed. Seeds should first be sown onto flats. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist and to check if seedlings have emerged. Seeds take from one to six months to germinate. After two years transplant the seedlings to their final location in autumn.
Sow Inside: No
Requirements: Full sunlight or light shade. Good drainage. Slightly acidic rich soil, moist soil. Provide a spring feed. Regular watering. Cut back to the ground once flowering has completed. Do not disturb settled plants. Only divide Camassia when they become overcrowded. Propagate: by dividing new bulblets at the start of autumn.
Miscellaneous: Used as a traditional food plant by native Indian tribes such as the Blackfoot and Cree.

Common Questions

How many members does the Camassia genus have?

The Camassia genus has about six species.

Do members of Camassia make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Camassia is valued for its tall, elegant flower spikes that bloom in late spring. It's particularly effective in meadow-style plantings or naturalistic borders.

Which Camassia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Camassia leichtlinii and Camassia quamash (Wild Hyacinth) are popular choices for their robust growth and attractive, starry flowers.

Are members of the Camassia plant genus fragrant?

No, Camassia plants are not known for their fragrance, but their tall, vibrant blooms make them garden favorites.

What is the perfect location to grow Camassia?

Camassia prefers a sunny to lightly shaded location and moist, well-drained soil.

Is Camassia invasive in the USA?

Currently, Camassia is not considered invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Camassia plants from my garden?

Remove Camassia by digging up the bulbs, ensuring to remove all parts to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Camassia genus is part of the Asparagaceae family and is native to North America. These bulbous perennials are admired for their tall spikes of star-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, adding an elegant touch to borders and naturalized areas.

Plant Camassia bulbs in the fall in a sunny to partly shaded location with well-drained soil. They prefer moist conditions, particularly during the growing season, but can tolerate a degree of dryness in summer. Once established, they require minimal maintenance and can naturalize over time.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on Camassia. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow sparagus and Yucca aloifolia plants.