Care of the plant Bulbine frutescens or Snake flower |
The genus Bulbine, family Asphodelaceae, comprises 150 species of bulbous plants native to southern Africa and Australia. Some species are: Bulbine frutescens, Bulbine acaulis, Bulbine nutans, Bulbine natalensis, Bulbine caulescens. Common names: Stalked bulbine, Snake flower, Cat's tail, Burn jelly plant. This species is native to southern Africa. They are fast-growing herbaceous plants with linear, evergreen, fleshy, onion-like leaves. The flowers are small, appear in clusters and are star-shaped and are yellow or orange. They bloom in spring and sometimes in fall as well. Stalked bulbine is used in pots and planters or to form flower beds in the garden. Bulbine frutescens needs exposure to full sun or semi-shade. It resists occasional freezes of -5 ºC (23 ºF). The soil can be a well-drained garden substrate with coarse sand. Water once a week in summer and every 2 weeks the rest of the year. It's a drought resistant plant. Prune withered flowers to promote flowering. Fertilize in the fall with compost. Cat's tail is a plant resistant to common pests and diseases. Snake flower propagates by seeds sown in spring or by division. |
Images of the plant Bulbine frutescens or Snake flower |