Agapanthus, also known as African lily, lily of the Nile or Agapanthus africanus, are evergreen or deciduous perennials with globes of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue or white, on tall stems.
Agapanthus are versatile perennials for gardens of all sizes and situations, whether you grow them in pots, in the border or as cut flowers. They look good in herbaceous borders and are tolerant of salty winds so make good coastal plants. They also look good in a jungle-style garden or in an exotic garden.
Agapanthus hail from southern Africa, but, like their fellow countryfolk, crocosmias, they have spread around the world and naturalised where the climate is favourable for them. In their native environment, agapanthus enjoy sunshine, fertile soil and adequate rainfall.
If I were to plant just one agapanthus it would have to be a rich blue one. However, the pure-white flowering cultivars, such as ‘White Heaven’, have a sophisticated charm and are perfect for a cool green-and-white planting scheme or a white garden.
Are agapanthus evergreen or deciduous?
Agapanthus can be evergreen or deciduous. Those that hail originally from cooler places and higher altitudes are deciduous. They are hardy and die back over winter, re-emerging again in spring. Those that hail from warmer regions are evergreen and often larger. They are not fully hardy so may need protection over the winter. They are best grown in pots so that they can be easily moved into a greenhouse in winter. Evergreen varieties tend to have wider leaves than deciduous ones.
Jump to
- When to plant agapanthus
- When do agapanthus flower
- Dividing agapanthus
- Watering agapanthus
- Feeding agapanthus
- Where to grow agapanthus
- Where to grow agapanthus
- What to grow with agapanthus
- Growing agapanthus in pots
- Why hasn't my agapanthus flowered?
- The best agapanthus to grow
How to grow agapanthus
When to plant agapanthus
You can buy agapanthus bulbs (rhizomes) by mail order or online; you may also find them at the garden centre in spring. Plant them from March to May.
Read about the best bulb suppliers.
You can also buy agapanthus as plants in flower at the garden centre or online in summer.
When do agapanthus flower
Agapanthus flowering times vary by region and the season but they can roughly be divided into three groups. Early-flowering cultivars bloom as early as June and into July. Mid-season varieties flower from July to mid August and late-flowering cultivars from mid August onwards. Choose a range of different types to enjoy flowers throughout summer.
Dividing agapanthus
You can divide congested clumps of agapanthus every four or five years. In spring or autumn, lift the plants out of their pot or from the soil, and split the crown with a sharp spade. Replant both sections.
Watering agapanthus
Agapanthus need plenty of water, particularly if grown in pots. Dry conditions, especially later in the year can result in poor flowering the following season.
Feeding agapanthus
Agapanthus are heavy feeders. Feed twice a year, in spring and midsummer with rose fertiliser, or feed regularly with liquid tomato feed to provide plenty of nitrogen and potash for strong growth and abundant flowers.
Where to grow agapanthus
Agapanthus need full sun for at least two thirds of the day. Inadequate sunlight results in thin stems, poor growth and no flowers.
If planting in the open ground, moist, well-drained soil is ideal. Poor dry soil needs the addition of plenty of organic matter and slow-release fertiliser.
What to grow with agapanthus
Agapanthus combine well with geraniums, roses and penstemons. If planted with crocosmias, dahlias and heleniums, the sapphire blooms take on a jewel-like quality. Pair them with cannas and they become positively tropical.
Both blue and white agapanthus are a delight against soft, white, variegated foliage, and the frothy flowers of early Hydrangea paniculata 'Praecox' planted with Agapanthus 'Ballerina' has a certain refined look to it.
Extend the season by growing alliums which bloom before agapanthus – try white-flowered Allium 'Mount Everest' or lilac-purple Allium 'Gladiator'.
Growing agapanthus in pots
In pots a mix of loam-based compost with a little horticultural grit is ideal. Agapanthus do not like to be overpotted (in a pot that is too large for the rootball, with lots of compost around it) but contrary to popular belief they do not need to be pot-bound to flower. The plant may also need dividing (see below).
Why hasn't my agapanthus flowered?
The most likely causes are not enough sun – agapanthus like to be in full sun for at least two thirds of the day – plus lack of feeding. If growing agapanthus in pots, make sure the plant is not in too large a pot, relative to the size of the rootball. Contrary to popular belief agapanthus do not need to be pot-bound to flower.
Agapanthus are evergreen or deciduous perennials with strap-like leaves and umbels of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue or white carried above the leaves on smooth stems.
All agapanthus bloom from mid to late summer, with most producing attractive seedheads.
Height can vary from around 30cm to more than a metre. Clump-forming to a maximum of 30cm.
Moist, well-drained soil in a site that gets sun for most of the day
The best agapanthus to grow
The best agapanthus for pots
Agapanthus 'Moonlight Star'
A lovely semi-evergreen agapanthus with open, starry florets of pale-blue, distinctly striped with a deep-violet blue, giving the umbels a sparkling appearance. Blooming mid season the flowers are carried on strong, upright stems. Good for pots and can be used for either indoor or outdoor planting. Loves full sun and well drained soil and you can expect beautiful blooms throughout the summer. Perfect for perennial borders too and provides good texture and interest throughout the year. Expect a spread of about 45cm. Height 60cm.
Agapanthus 'Megan's Mauve'
An evergreen cultivar with luxuriant strappy leaves and tall, strong stems carrying a spectacular flower head. Purple buds open to mauve blooms with darker stripes. Needs winter protection. Good agapanthus for pots.
Height 1.2m. Hardiness rating RHS H3, USDA 8A-11.
Agapanthus. 'Lavender Haze'
The massive heads of many florets are elegantly poised on fine stalks and have a lovely drooping quality to them. This agapanthus flowers over a long period in mid season. In most areas it will need some winter protection and its spread is around 50cm. As usual, Agapanthus 'Lavender Haze' will need well drained soil, full sun and moderate watering. This agapanthus reaches to around 90cm tall and will flower in late summer. Best to give this winter protection in the form of a dry mulch. Hardiness ratings RHS H3, USDA 8a-11.
Agapanthus 'Snow Cloud'
Huge, spherical heads of hundreds of pure-white flowers with yellow anthers on strong stems ensure a long blooming period in mid season. Perfect agapanthus for a pot or a mixed border.
Height 90cm. Hardiness rating RHS H3, USDA 8a-11
Buy Agapanthus 'Snow Cloud' from Van Meuwen
The best agapanthus for borders and beds
Agapanthus 'Glen Avon'
A hardy evergreen agapanthus cultivar bred in New Zealand with large flower heads consisting of hundreds of pale-blue flowers with darker stripes through the centres of the petals.
Height 1m. Hardiness rating RHS H3, USDA 8a-11.
Agapanthus Silver Moon (= 'Notfred')
This agapanthus' silver-edged, slender leaves makes a splash in the border throughout the season. A hardy, deciduous cultivar with pale-blue flowers produced freely in mid season.
Height 45cm. Hardiness rating RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
M101 Price Comparison: Agapanthus Silver Moon Notfred
Agapanthus 'White Heaven'
A hardy, cultivar with sparkling pure-white flower heads of starry, upturned florets with yellow stamens that are freely produced on compact plants in mid season.
Height 75cm. Hardiness rating RHS H3, USDA 8a-11.
Agapanthus. 'Jacaranda'
A particularly early flowering agapanthus cultivar selected by plant breeder Ken Rigney of Southampton. Showy heads of mid-blue flowers, striped with a deeper blue, are held above evergreen foliage.
Height 75cm. Hardiness rating RHS H3, USDA 8a-11.
Agapanthus Brilliant Blue (= 'AGA0451')
This early flowering agapanthus cultivar from New Zealand is one of the best with brilliant, rich-blue flowers, striped with darker blue, in rounded umbels carried about narrow emerald-green leaves.
Height 45cm. Hardiness ratings RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Agapanthus 'African Skies'
A magnificent evergreen agapanthus producing large, rounded flower heads of mid-blue blooms with darker stripes on strong stems. The individual flowers are well presented and outward facing; they appear mid-season. A cultivar selected by agapanthus specialist Richard Fulcher.
Height 1m. Hardiness ratings RHS H3, USDA 8a-11.
Agapanthus 'Ballerina'
An elegant, deciduous agapanthus with pale-blue florets, characteristic of its parent species Agapanthus inapertus. In well-drained soil and full sun it is free flowering in mid to late season.
Height 1.2m. Hardiness rating RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Agapanthus Twister
A popular agapanthus with pretty sapphire-blue trumpets, opening to pure-white petals. It is the first hardy, bicoloured agapanthus. Has semi-evergreen foliage and a compact habit.
Height 45cm. Hardiness ratings RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Agapanthus 'Flower of Love'
An extremely free-flowering agapanthus introduced by plant breeder Richard Fulcher. Its dark-blue flowers are carried in full, rounded umbels above rich green leaves. Height 60cm.
Agapanthus 'Silver Baby'
Free-flowering from early in the season, this dwarf agapanthus cultivar forms a clump of grass-like evergreen foliage and has generous umbels of starry, white blooms flushed with pale blue.
Height 45cm. Hardiness ratings RHS H3, USDA 8a-10b.
Agapanthus 'Purple Emperor'
An Agapanthus inapertus hybrid with large flower heads consisting of pendulous purple-blue flowers. The mid-to-late-season flowers are not prolific, but it is a hardy plant and has a wonderful colour.
Height 1m. Hardiness rating RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Agapanthus 'Pretty Sandy'
A lovely new cultivar selected by Richard Fulcher from A. 'Bray Valley' seedlings. Large, rounded heads of abundant lilac-blue florets are freely produced over a long period in mid season. Hardy, reliable and an excellent plant.
Height 75cm.
Agapanthus 'Bray Valley'
An excellent, free-flowering, hardy cultivar with neat rounded flower heads consisting of many florets, ensuring a long flowering period from July onwards. Deep-sapphire-blue and hardy it has all the attributes most gardeners look for in an agapanthus.
Height 75cm. Hardiness ratings RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Agapanthus 'Northern Star'
Free-flowering, hardy cultivar agapanthus. Dark-purple buds, open to outward-facing, star-shaped blooms. Flowers are deep blue, with darker purple streaks down the centres of the petals.
Height 75cm. Hardiness rating RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Agapanthus 'Liam's Lilac'
A late-flowering cultivar with loose heads of silver, trumpet-shaped flowers. Individual blooms are carried on dark stalks, deep lilac at the base, becoming paler at the mouth of each floret.
Height 90cm. Hardiness rating RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Agapanthus 'Silver Lining'
This hardy Agapanthus praecox x Agapanthus inapertus hybrid has strong flower stems carrying abundant showers of white blooms, flushed with pale blue-grey. Elegant and hardy.
Height 60cm. Hardiness rating RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Agapanthus 'Indigo Dreams'
A deciduous cultivar with loose flower heads carried on rather lax stems. Its purple-blue flowers can appear almost black against paler cultivars, but it is surprisingly hardy for such an exotic colour.
Height 75cm. Hardiness rating RHS H4, USDA 7a-10b.
Doing more research? Find plants for full sun to add to your garden.