How to Grow Nomocharis Plants

Nomocharis plants are similar in appearance to Lilies and are usually grown from bulbs by gardeners.

They reach an height of 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 feet tall) making them useful in garden borders.

The Nomocharis genus consists seven species, which may have white, pink or purple flowers that resemble flattish lilies. The plant bloom in the middle of summer.

Nomocharis
Nomocharis photograph by Brewbooks.

Nomocharis aperta
Nomocharis aperta picture by dracobotanicus.

Nomocharis Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Nomocharis.
Life Cycle: Hardy bulb.
Height: 10 to 36 inches (25—90 cm).
Native: Northern India, Myanmar, and eastern China.
Growing Region: Zones 7 to 9.
Flowers: Middle of summer.
Flower Details: Lily-like. Saucer-shaped. Flat. White, pink, purple; often spotted pink. 2.5 to 3 inches (6—7.5 cm) in diameter.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Slim erect stalks. Solitary leaves lower down the stem. Whorls further up. Two inches (5 cm) long. Linear to sublate. Green.
Sowing/Planting Outside:
Seeds: Cover seed. Germination time: 3—6 weeks. Temperature: 50 to 57°F (10—14°C). At the start of spring, mix seeds in a moist growing medium, then put in containers, wrap in a large plastic bag, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks. Next bury the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Allow seedlings to grow for two years before transplanting to their final location. Bulbs: Four inches (10 cm) deep. Space at 6 to 16 inches (15—40 cm).
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Deep, acidic, moist soil. Spring mulch. Overwinters under snow in its native areas, so thrives in similar environments. Do not disturb once established. Propagate from seed or purchased bulbs. Division of bulbs is not recommended as they are fragile.
Family: Liliaceae.
Closely Related Species: Lilies: Clintonia, Fritillaria, Lilium, Tulipa, Scoliopus.
Miscellaneous: Nomocharis are closely related to the Lilium plants, and share the similar characteristics of scaly bulbs and leafy stems.

How to Grow Nomocharis

It is probably easiest to grow Nomocharis from bulbs; these should be burried about 8 to 10 cm deep, and spaced from 12 cm (small Nomocharis species) to 40 cm (large Nomocharis varieties) apart in the spring.

They can grow in either a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden. The soil should be well drained yet moist. Nomocharis prefers to grow in an acidic and deep soil.

If growing Nomocharis from seed, then sow the seed in the autumn into flats and lightly cover with soil. The flat should then be sunk into a shaded area of the garden and covered in glass.

Germination can take up to 6 months; allow the Nomocharis seedlings to grow to about 8 cm in height, then transplant to the desired part of the garden the following spring after the last frost.

Caring for Nomocharis Plants in the Garden

Not the easiest of plants to look after, Nomocharis should be mulched in the spring, and the soil must be kept moist but not wet through the growing and flowering period of the summer.

It is best to propagate further plants from seed or purchase bulbs from a garden center. Nomocharis bulbs are susceptible to damage, so dividing them may destroy your plants if not done extremely carefully.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Nomocharis plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Canna and Tricyrtis plants.