Photo: Donald HobernCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Glaucous Bulbine Plant Care
Bulbine glauca (Raf.) E.M.Watson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its slender, blue-green succulent leaves that form attractive rosettes, this plant originates from South Africa. Plant collectors are drawn to Bulbine glauca for its drought tolerance, low maintenance, and ability to attract pollinators with its delicate yellow flowers.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Glaucous Bulbine?
Water Glaucous Bulbine every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Glaucous Bulbine Native To?
What Is the Glaucous Bulbine?
Glaucous Bulbine (Bulbine glauca) belongs to the Asphodelaceae family within the Bulbine genus. Glaucous Bulbine is native to Southern or Eastern Africa.
Glaucous Bulbine displays a clumping succulent perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Glaucous Bulbine produces spike-like clusters of yellow or orange flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Glaucous Bulbine?
Bulbine glauca requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Glaucous Bulbine Need?
Glaucous Bulbine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Glaucous Bulbine Prefer?
Bulbine glauca grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Glaucous Bulbine prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Glaucous Bulbine?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Glaucous Bulbine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Glaucous Bulbine?
Feed Glaucous Bulbine every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Glaucous Bulbine?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Glaucous Bulbine?
Glaucous Bulbine can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to orange bulbine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Glaucous Bulbine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Glaucous Bulbine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Glaucous Bulbine?
Glaucous Bulbine is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Glaucous Bulbine Need?
Glaucous Bulbine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Glaucous Bulbine is native to Southern or Eastern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Glaucous Bulbine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Glaucous Bulbine is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Bulbine genus — compare its care with other Bulbine species on PlantoScan.
Bulbine is part of the Asphodelaceae plant family — browse all Asphodelaceae genera and species.
Glaucous Bulbine thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Bulbine Species
Other Bulbine species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Bulbine glauca (Raf.) E.M.Watson, family Asphodelaceae (first published in Fl. Australia 45: 469 (1987)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Glaucous Bulbine, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Donald Hobern, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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