Cape grass lily Plant Care

Cape grass lily (Trachyandra ciliata) belongs to the Asphodelaceae family within the Trachyandra genus. Cape grass lily is native to Southern Africa. Cape grass lily is also known as Rooipitjie, Red Root Trachyandra, Wildeblomkool.

Cape grass lily displays a clumping, upright growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Cape grass lily produces white flowers in elongate racemes, pendent fruits.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cape grass lily every 7–14 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.

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

Trachyandra ciliata tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Cape grass lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining. Good drainage is essential for Cape grass lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cape grass lily every 7 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. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cape grass lily is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 12b.

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.

Cape grass lily 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 Cape grass 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.

Cape grass lily is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Cape grass lily can be propagated through division, leaf cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to trachyandra erythrorrhiza plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Cape grass lily is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, aphids. 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.

Cape grass lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Cape grass lily is native to Southern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Cape grass lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.