How to Grow Rhodohypoxis Plants

Guide to Growing red star / rosy posy

Members of the Rhodohypoxis genus are hardy perennials.

They can reach from 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches); this size makes them ideal for growing in a rock garden.

Rhodohypoxis have lance-shaped leaves

Rhodohypoxis milloides
Rhodohypoxis milloides 'Claret' by col&tasha.

Rhodohypoxis plants bloom from spring to the start of summer. When they carry multitudes of flat pink, red, or white flowers.

Commonly Grown Rhodohypoxis Species Photographs and Plant Identification

Rhodohypoxis baurii

Rhodohypoxis baurii
Rhodohypoxis baurii (Red Star / Rosy Posy), photograph by David Short; CC.

Rhodohypoxis deflexa

Rhodohypoxis deflexa
Rhodohypoxis deflexa (Spring Starflower), picture by Staudengärtnerei Forssman; CC.

Rhodohypoxis Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Rhodohypoxis, Red star, Rosy posy
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 2 to 6 inches (5—15 cm).
Native: Southern Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10.

Flowers: Spring through to early summer.
Flower Details: White, red, pink. Star-shaped. Flat. Single flowers atop multiple stems.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Narrow, lanceolate. Hairy.

Sow/Grow Outside: Usually grown from tubers as seed-grown plants may not stay true.
Seeds: Cover seed. Before the last frost.
Tubers: 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm).
Sow/grow Inside: Germination time: one to three months. Temperature: 50 to 53°F (10—12°C). Two months in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost. Spacing 2 to 3 inches (5—8 cm).

Requirements and care: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Lime-free soil. Occasional light feed. Water to maintain moisture during spring to autumn. Do not water in the winter. Propagate: by dividing offsets in the spring. Self-seeds freely.
Family: Asparagales.
Closely Related Species: Asparagoid lily.
Miscellaneous: Makes a great container plant and is also useful for alpine and rock gardens. The genus is named from the Greek words rhodon (rose/red), hypo (below), and oxy (pointed).

How to Grow Rhodohypoxis

It is best to grow Rhodohypoxis from tubers. This is because Rhodohypoxis plants grown from seed may not be as pretty (not stay true).

The tubers should be sown about 3 to 5 cm (1 to 1.5 inches) deep, and at 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches) apart. Plant the tubers at the start of spring (before the last frost).

If you do plan to grow Rhodohypoxis plants from seed, then simply cover them with soil. It should take from one to three months for Rhodohypoxis seeds to germinate.

Rhodohypoxis prefers to grow in a sunny area of the garden. This should have a well drained, lime-free, soil.

Caring for Rhodohypoxis

Rhodohypoxis takes a little bit of looking after. They should be lightly fertilised now and again. The soil watered frequently to keep moist in the growing season.

Do not water Rhodohypoxis in the winter.

If you require more Rhodohypoxisplants, then propagate them by division of offsets in the springtime.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Rhodohypoxis plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Aloe vera, Bulbocodium, and Belamcanda plants.