Blue African Lily Plant Care

Blue African Lily (Kosmosiphon azureus) belongs to the Acanthaceae family within the Kosmosiphon genus. Blue African Lily is native to Cameroon and Democratic Republic of the Congo in west-central tropical Africa. Blue African Lily is also known as Azure Cosmosiphon, African Bluebell.

Blue African Lily displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2.5 ft. Blue African Lily produces showy tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Blue African Lily 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.

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

Kosmosiphon azureus tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Blue African Lily prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, rich loamy soil with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Blue African Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Blue African Lily 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, rich loamy soil with added perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Blue African Lily is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Blue African Lily can spread to about 3 ft (0.8 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.8 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 Blue African Lily 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.

Blue African Lily 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.

Blue African Lily can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

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

Blue African Lily is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, whiteflies. 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.

Blue African Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Blue African Lily is native to Cameroon and Democratic Republic of the Congo in west-central tropical Africa. In cooler regions, grow Blue African Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.