How to Grow Chlorogalum Plants in your Garden

Chlorogalum Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Soap Plant, Amoles, Soaproot, Amole Lily.
Life Cycle: Hardy bulb.
Height: 24 to 96 inches (60 to 240 cm).
Native: Northern America.
Growing Region: Zones 8 to 10.
Flowers: Early summer.
Flower Details: White, pink, blue. Lily-like. Narrow tepals.
Foliage: Grey-green. Leaves from the base. The leaves of some species have wavy or toothed edges.
Sow Outside: Easiest to grow from bulbs. Measure diameter of the bulb and bury at twice that depth in the autumn.
Seeds: 1/8 inch. Germination time: one to three months. Spacing 4 inches (10 cm).
Seed: Method 1: Seeds should first be sown into flats in the autumn. 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. Bring the flats indoors at the beginning of spring and keep at 60°F (16°C). Transplant seedlings in the autumn.
Seed: Method 2: Mix seeds in a moist growing medium, then put in flats, wrap in a large plastic bag, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks. Next bury the flat as described above. Once seedlings emerge transplant them to their final location.
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements: Full sunlight or light shade. Good drainage. Fertile soil, moist soil. Regular watering. Cut back stems once flowering has completed. Winter compost mulch. Propagate: offsets can be planted in either spring or autumn.
Miscellaneous: The plant gets the name soap plant because Chlorogalum bulbs were traditionally squashed to make a detergent that was used to wash clothes.