Photo: Aaron ListonCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Blueberry Lily Plant Care
Dianella ensifolia (L.) Redouté
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily distinguished by its long, sword-shaped leaves and vibrant blue-purple berries. Originally from Australia, Dianella ensifolia is sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Blueberry Lily?
Water Blueberry Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Blueberry Lily Native To?
What Is the Blueberry Lily?
Blueberry Lily (Dianella ensifolia) belongs to the Asphodelaceae family within the Dianella genus. Blueberry Lily is native to southern China, India, Japan, Madagascar, Malesia, the Pacific Islands, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and tropical Asia. Blueberry Lily is also known as Fan Flax Lily, Hens and Chickens.
Blueberry Lily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Blueberry Lily produces small blue or white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Blueberry Lily?
Dianella ensifolia requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Blueberry Lily Need?
Blueberry Lily thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Blueberry Lily Prefer?
Dianella ensifolia grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Blueberry Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Blueberry Lily?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Blueberry Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Blueberry Lily?
Feed Blueberry Lily 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 Blueberry Lily?
Repot every 2-3 years in 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 Blueberry Lily?
Blueberry Lily can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to flax lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Blueberry Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Blueberry Lily?
Blueberry Lily is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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 Blueberry Lily Need?
Blueberry Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Blueberry Lily is native to southern China, India, Japan, Madagascar, Malesia, the Pacific Islands, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and tropical Asia. In cooler regions, grow Blueberry Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Blueberry Lily 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 Dianella genus — compare its care with other Dianella species on PlantoScan.
Dianella is part of the Asphodelaceae plant family — browse all Asphodelaceae genera and species.
Blueberry Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Dianella Species
Other Dianella species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dianella ensifolia (L.) Redouté, family Asphodelaceae (first published in Liliac. 1: t. 1 (1802)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Blueberry Lily is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Aaron Liston, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 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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