Veltheimia Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 27th Oct 2023
In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Veltheimia plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.
- Plant Characteristics: Veltheimia boasts striking tubular flowers in shades of pink or red. Its captivating bloom, even during the cooler seasons, helps to add color to gardens at a time that most plants lay dormant.
- Ideal Growing Conditions: They prefer to grow in a location with dappled shade with a well-draining soil. The planting depth and spacing of the bulbs are crucial for optimal growth.
- General Care: Water moderately, ensure bulbs don't stay wet as this can lead to rot. Reduce watering during dormant periods.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Forest Lily is relatively easy to care for but demands proper bulb planting techniques. Avoid waterlogged conditions. Given their winter flowering, they're can be a delightful choice for bringing continuous garden color.
Winter Veltheimia, Forest lily, Winter Red Hot Poker, & Sand onion: Cultivation & Garden Use
Veltheimia are hardy bulbs that reach from 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) in height.
They bloom at the start of spring when they carry drooping clusters of tubular shaped flowers, these are usually red or yellow.
They are a native of southern Africa, and so perform best in zones 8 to 10.
Veltheimia bracteata by Derek Keats.
How to Grow Veltheimia
For quickest results grow Veltheimia from bulbs as seed grown plants will take about three or four years to flower.
Bulbs should be buried two thirds deep in the autumn (keep the top third out of the soil).
Space at about 30 cm (1 foot) apart and locate in a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden.
Ideally the soil that Veltheimia plants grow in will be acidic, and have good drainage.
If growing from seed either sow outdoors in the autumn, or start off indoor at the start of winter; sow the seeds and then lightly cover.
If growing indoors then germination should take from one to three months at a temperature of 12 to 18 degrees centigrade (54 to 64°F).
Transplant seedlings into the garden in mid spring.
Caring for Veltheimia
Although Veltheimia takes a little looking after, it is fairly easy work. They require a liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks from spring until the end of the growing season (stop in summer).
If you live in a very cold area then bring Veltheimia indoors for the winter. As they will not tolerate extremely cold temperatures.
Closely related species
Veltheimia are Asparagaceae, so closely related to Scilla, Asparagus vegetables, Brimeura, Yucca plants, Solomons seal, and Chionodoxa.
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Veltheimia Growing and Care Guide
- Common Names: Winter veltheimia, Forest lily, Sand onion, Sand lily, Sandui, Winter Red hot poker, Elephant's eye.
- Life Cycle: Half hardy bulb.
- Height: 12 to 18 inches (30—45 cm).
- Native: South Africa.
- Growing Region: Zones 8 to 10. Also grown as an annual in cooler regions.
- Flowers: Species dependent: Veltheimia bracteata in the spring, Veltheimia capensis in autumn and winter.
- Flower Details: Red, yellow, pink. Tubular clusters.
- Foliage: Evergreen in some areas, loses leaves in the summer in others. Narrowly lanceolate. Glossy. Thick. Bluish green or pale to deep green leaves.
- Grow Outside:
Bulbs: Plant just below the surface in early autumn, with the top third remaining above the ground. Space at 12 inches (30 cm) and do not disturb.
Seeds: Cover. Autumn. Takes about three years for seed grown Veltheima plants to bloom. - Sow Inside: Germination time: one to three months. Temperature: ~60°F (15°C), provide a temperature swing. Consider germinating on a wet paper towel. Ten weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors well after the last frost when temperatures will not drop below 50°F (10°C).
- Requirements and care: Full sunlight (for best results) or light shade. Good drainage. Most soils but will perform best in humus-rich, loamy soil. Apply liquid fertilizer twice a month through the growing season from spring to early summer. Very light watering in the summer. Pot bulbs and bring indoors for the winter in colder areas. Propagate: from offsets in the spring, easy to grow from seed, or plant leaves into a sand/soil mix in late spring/early summer. Protect from slugs and snails.
- Family: Asparagaceae.
- Closely Related Species: Yucca, Asparagus, Hosta, Nolina.
- Miscellaneous: Veltheimia capensis was traditionally used as a purgative by the natives of South Africa.
Common Questions
How many members does the Veltheimia genus have?
The Veltheimia genus consists of just two species of bulbous plants.
Do members of Veltheimia make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Yes, Veltheimia species can make a stunning addition to a garden, especially in pots or as indoor plants.
Which Veltheimia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?
The most frequently grown species is Veltheimia bracteata, often known as forest lily or sand onion.
Are members of the Veltheimia plant genus fragrant?
Members of the Veltheimia genus are not typically known for their fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Veltheimia?
Veltheimia prefers a location with partial shade and well-draining soil. Indoors, they should be placed near a window for ample sunlight.
Is Veltheimia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Currently, Veltheimia is not considered to be invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Veltheimia plants from my garden?
Veltheimia can be removed by digging up the bulbs. Make sure to remove the entire bulb to prevent re-growth.
Summary
The Veltheimia plant genus includes bulbous perennials native to South Africa. They are appreciated for their glossy, wavy-edged leaves and tubular flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring.
Plant Veltheimia bulbs in autumn. They prefer a sunny to partially shaded location and well-drained soil. Regular watering is necessary during their growth and bloom periods, but the soil should be allowed to dry out during their dormancy in summer. They may need winter protection in colder climates.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Veltheimia. You may also enjoy the following Asparagaceae family plant growing guides: How to grow Mondo grass; Brimeura; Yucca filamentosa Color Guard; and Agave attenuata plants.
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