Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile or African lily) are fantastic plants to have in a sunny patio during the summer. In this article we will learn how to plant agapanthus in pots.
Agapanthus make particular impact if they are planted in terracotta pots.
They produce spectacular flowers in summer. They are very structural and the flowers are very durable.
We should use a compost that retains moisture but at the same time has good drainage. Lily of the Nile don’t like soggy soil. In fact, they can tolerate some drought, but in the warmer months you have to water them regularly.
To promote flower development, apply a potassium-rich liquid fertilizer fortnightly.
One advantage of growing potted plants is that it allows us to move them. This way, we can replace the pots as flowering ends during the year.
On frost-sensitive plants, such as agapanthus, the fact that we grow them in pots makes it possible to move them to a frost-proof place in the autumn and winter months.
I am going to plant agapanthus in pots for the first time. I’ve been planting a new hedge in the garden and I’ve splitted extra rhizomes from agapanthus clumps. With the rest, I will make a pot to take to the patio during the summer months.
In this article
Choose a big pot
I chose a large terracotta pot. Agapanthus are large plants that need space to grow.
Add compost
I filled the bottom of the pot with compost. I’m using a compost rich in organic matter but with good drainage. The fact that the pot is made of terracotta also facilitates the aeration of the rhizomes.
Plant each agapanthus rhizome
One by one I placed the rhizomes in the vase. Here you can see an agapanth rhizome perfect for planting. Fleshy roots, plump rhizome and pruned leaves to reduce perspiration.
We should plant them at the same depth as they were before.
Distribute them around the pot. I put 4 or 5 rhizomes so they can give a composite foliage effect this year.
Fill the rest of the pot
I filled the rest of the pot with compost leaving a margin at the top for watering.
Water the pot
And I watered very well until the water came out of the draining hole.
Protect from frost
As there was still some risk of frost, I placed the vase in a protected place.
The care after that was watering and fertilization, started only when there was already visible growth of the leaves.
The agapanthus flowered in the first year
One of the agapanthus bloomed earlier this year. A beautiful blue flower. Not so big with those of his well-established brothers on the ground. Still a treat.
When the flower dried, I took the pot to the garden and placed another one that was starting to bloom. Just a picture to show how it grew in 6 months (not the real place of it).
