How big does African lily grow?

About 80 cm × 60 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 0.3–1.5 m × 30–75 cm.

What soil does African lily grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy.

Is African lily hardy?

Hardy down to -12 °C (USDA zone 8, RHS H5). Outdoors in this country it only survives with winter protection, or in a pot overwintered frost-free.

Is African lily toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

When does African lily flower?

Flowering: June–September, blue, purple, white.

How much water does African lily need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

African lily

Agapanthus × hybridus

African lily (Agapanthus × hybridus) is a perennial that reaches 80 cm × 60 cm after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -12 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Mildly toxic to children.

Illustration of African lily — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Grow it as a container plant, because most of the forms sold here do not overwinter outdoors and have to be moved to a frost-free place in autumn. Above strap-shaped leaves it carries round heads of blue, purple or white flowers on tall stems in summer, and it flowers best in sun once its roots fill the pot. There are two types: the evergreen ones are tender and need a bright place at 5 to 10 °C with just enough water to keep the leaves alive; the deciduous (Headbourne type) hybrids are hardier, overwinter dry in a cool, dark, frost-free place, and can be tried in the ground in a sheltered, well-drained spot under a thick mulch, though a hard winter may still kill them. So check which type you are buying. Bring it in before the first frosts and put it out again in May, once frosts are over.

Watch out for

In Central Europe the main risk is cold: evergreen cultivars are damaged by a few degrees of frost, and in pots the roots of deciduous ones freeze through as well. The fleshy roots rot in standing water, especially in winter. Failure to flower usually comes from too little sun, too large a pot, drought in summer or overwintering too warm. Agapanthus gall midge, which deforms the buds, is spreading in Western Europe.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 80 cm × 60 cm
Hardiness: down to -12 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–September, blue, purple, white

All details

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	80 cm × 60 cm
Ultimate size	0.3–1.5 m × 30–75 cm
Hardiness	down to -12 °C (USDA 8, RHS H5)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	June–September, blue, purple, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	45 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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