Photo: Léo SouillardCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Society Garlic Plant Care
Tulbaghia violacea Harv.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tulbaghia violacea, commonly known as society garlic, pink agapanthus, wild garlic, sweet garlic, spring bulbs, or spring flowers, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. It is indigenous to southern Africa, and reportedly naturalized in Tanzania and Mexico.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Society Garlic?
Water Society Garlic every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Society Garlic Native To?
What Is the Society Garlic?
Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Tulbaghia genus. Society Garlic is native to southern Africa, and reportedly naturalized in Tanzania and Mexico. Society Garlic is also known as Wild Garlic, Cape Garlic, East African Wild Rose.
Society Garlic displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Society Garlic produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Society Garlic?
Tulbaghia violacea 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 Society Garlic Need?
Society Garlic thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Society Garlic Prefer?
Tulbaghia violacea grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Society Garlic prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Society Garlic?
Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Society Garlic to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Society Garlic?
Feed Society Garlic 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 Society Garlic?
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 Society Garlic?
Society Garlic can be propagated through division of clumps, seeds.
Is the Society Garlic Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Society Garlic, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Society Garlic?
Society Garlic is susceptible to aphids, thrips, 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 Society Garlic Need?
Society Garlic grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Society Garlic is native to southern Africa, and reportedly naturalized in Tanzania and Mexico.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Society Garlic 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 Tulbaghia genus — compare its care with other Tulbaghia species on PlantoScan.
Tulbaghia is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Society Garlic thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tulbaghia violacea Harv., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 64: t. 3555 (1837)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Society Garlic, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Léo Souillard, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 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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