African Potato Plant Care

African Potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) belongs to the Hypoxidaceae family within the Hypoxis genus. African Potato is native to southern Africa from South Africa as far north as Mozambique and Zimbabwe. African Potato is also known as Star Grass, Ingwe, Umkhwazi.

African Potato displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. African Potato produces small star-shaped yellow flowers on long stalks.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted African Potato every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

African Potato thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing African Potato in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Hypoxis hemerocallidea tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. African Potato prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for African Potato to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed African Potato every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

African Potato is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

African Potato can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune African Potato while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

African Potato is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

African Potato can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to star grass plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

African Potato is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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.

African Potato grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. African Potato is native to southern Africa from South Africa as far north as Mozambique and Zimbabwe. In cooler regions, grow African Potato as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.