Silver Squill Plant Care
Ledebouria ovatifolia (Baker) Jessop
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ledebouria ovatifolia, the flat-leaved African hyacinth, is a widespread species of bulbous flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to South Africa and Lesotho. With its highly variable spotted leaves and attractive flowers, it is popular with succulent enthusiasts, although it is not, strictly speaking, a succulent.
Bright indirect to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Silver Squill?
Silver Squill grows best in bright indirect to partial shade. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Silver Squill Native To?
What Is the Silver Squill?
Silver Squill (Ledebouria ovatifolia) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Ledebouria genus. Silver Squill is native to South Africa and Lesotho. Silver Squill is also known as Kougoed.
Silver Squill displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Silver Squill produces small, star-shaped flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
What Light Does the Silver Squill Need?
Silver Squill thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Silver Squill in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Silver Squill?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Silver Squill to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Silver Squill?
Repot every 1-2 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 Silver Squill?
Silver Squill can be propagated through offsets, division, leaf cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silver squill plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Silver Squill Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to pets, can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested
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 Silver Squill?
Silver Squill is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, 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.
Keep exploring plants
Silver Squill 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 Ledebouria genus — compare its care with other Ledebouria species on PlantoScan.
Ledebouria is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Silver Squill thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ledebouria Species
Other Ledebouria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ledebouria ovatifolia (Baker) Jessop, family Asparagaceae (first published in J. S. African Bot. 36: 262 (1970)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Silver Squill 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.
- 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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