Leslie Massey
Agapanthus is a flowering perennial native to southern Africa. It is easy to grow from seed, but the resulting plants may take two to three years to bloom. To grow agapanthus from seed in Australia, collect seeds from a mature plant when the seedhead is brown and the capsules are starting to burst. Put the seeds in a paper bag in a warm location until the pods open, then plant them in spring in a pot with drainage holes and a rich planting mix with added perlite for drainage. Sprinkle the seeds on the planting mix and cover them with a thin layer of soil, then place the pot in a warm, sunny location. Water the container slowly until the potting mix is lightly moist, and water lightly whenever the surface is dry. After germination, which usually takes about a month, move the trays to a cool, bright area. Once the seedlings are big enough, transplant them into small individual pots, and cover the potting mix with a thin layer of sharp grit or coarse, clean sand. Feed the plants with a complete fertiliser that is rich in flower-promoting potassium, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers Plant Food Pellets, to promote healthy leaf growth and an impressive flower show.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Propagation | Seeds or division of the clump |
| Seed collection | When the seedhead is brown and the capsules are bursting |
| Seed storage | Store the whole seedhead in a paper bag |
| Seed sowing | Cover with 1/4 inch of soil and keep in a warm, sunny location |
| Germination | Takes about a month |
| Transplanting | Move seedlings to small individual pots when they have strong shoots and roots |
| Overwintering | Keep seedlings in a greenhouse or protected frost-free area |
| Feeding | Feed plants with a complete fertiliser rich in potassium every 6-8 weeks |
| Watering | Regularly water |
| Sunlight | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil | Well-draining |
| Pruning | Remove damaged leaves and spent flower stems |
| Pests | Snails and slugs |
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What You'll Learn
Collecting seeds and preparing the soil
To collect seeds, wait until the seedhead is brown and the capsules are starting to burst. If the weather is turning cold, you can collect the seeds prematurely and store the whole seedhead in a paper bag, but it is preferable to let the seeds ripen on the plant. Once collected, open the seed pods and extract the seeds. They should fall out easily.
When preparing the soil, it is important to remember that agapanthus does best with organic compost worked into the soil at planting and fertiliser during its growing period. Choose a planting mix that is rich and has added perlite for drainage. If planting in a pot, choose a quality potting mix and ensure the pot is at least twice the width of the root ball of the plant. Large varieties of agapanthus will need a bigger pot than compact types, and dwarf varieties are ideal for growing in pots.
Agapanthus needs full sun and regular water. They grow well in a spot that receives full sun or partial shade all day, but plants in shadier conditions may have fewer flowers. For more flowers, grow agapanthus in a sunnier spot. If planting in the ground, cut back the foliage to about 4 inches in late fall when blooming is over. The plant will go dormant for the winter, so mulch the crown of the plant to protect it.
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Planting the seeds and encouraging germination
To begin the process of planting agapanthus seeds, collect them when the seedhead is turning brown and the capsules are starting to burst. If the weather is cold, you can collect the seeds early and store them in a paper bag, but it is better to let them ripen on the plant. The seeds should be sown immediately and covered with only 1/4 inch of soil. If you don't have fresh seeds, you can also buy seeds or harvest seed pods from an existing plant. However, if the plant is a hybrid, the resulting plants will not match the parent plant.
For planting, use a rich mix with added perlite for drainage. Water the trays slowly and thoroughly but ensure they are not soaking wet. Place the trays in a warm area with direct sunlight for at least six hours daily. Water lightly whenever the surface of the mix is dry, but be careful not to overwater. Germination usually takes about a month. Once the seeds germinate, move the trays to a cool, bright area.
Transplant the seedlings into small individual pots when they are big enough to handle. Cover the potting mix with a thin layer of sharp grit or coarse, clean sand. You can overwinter the seedlings in a greenhouse or any protected, frost-free area. As the seedlings grow, transplant them into larger pots as needed. Finally, plant the young agapanthus outdoors in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.
Agapanthus is a heavy feeder, so it is best to work organic compost into the soil at planting time and provide fertiliser during its growth. A complete fertiliser rich in flower-promoting potassium is ideal. For agapanthus grown in a garden, feed the plants every six to eight weeks from spring to autumn. For potted agapanthus, feed every one to two weeks from spring to autumn.
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Transplanting seedlings into pots
Agapanthus grown in pots should be fed with fertiliser to promote healthy leaves and flowers. From spring to autumn, feed the plants every one to two weeks with a complete fertiliser that is rich in flower-promoting potassium, such as Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food. It is also important to remove any spent flower stems before they can set seed, as agapanthus can spread easily and become a weed. Finally, remember that agapanthus plants benefit from being divided every few years to encourage new growth and increase blooms.
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Feeding and fertilising the plants
Feeding and fertilising Agapanthus plants are important steps to ensure their healthy growth and flowering. Agapanthus is a heavy feeder, and it is recommended to incorporate organic compost into the soil at planting time. During the growing season, fertiliser is also beneficial.
For potted plants, a thorough watering two to three times a week is usually sufficient, depending on the weather. From spring to autumn, feeding your Agapanthus every one to two weeks with a potassium-rich liquid fertiliser will promote flowering. A product like Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food can be used.
If you are growing your Agapanthus in the ground, you can cut back the foliage to about four inches in late fall when blooming is over. The plant will go dormant for the winter, so be sure to mulch the crown of the plant to protect it. During the blooming season, remove faded blossoms from the stem to prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed production and to encourage new growth. Dividing the plants every few years will also encourage new growth and increase blooms.
To promote healthy leaf growth and flowering, feed your Agapanthus plants every six to eight weeks from spring to autumn with a fertiliser like Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers Plant Food Pellets. Regularly removing spent flower stems before they have a chance to set seed is important, as Agapanthus can spread easily by seed and become a weed.
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Preventing the spread of seeds and controlling weeds
When growing agapanthus from seeds in Australia, it is important to prevent the spread of seeds and control weeds. Here are some detailed steps to achieve this:
Firstly, it is crucial to regularly remove spent flower stems before they can set seed. Make sure to dispose of them properly in the bin. Agapanthus can spread rapidly by seed and become a weed, so preventing this is essential. Remove faded blossoms from the stem to prevent the plant from wasting energy on seed production and to encourage new growth.
Secondly, when growing agapanthus in pots, choose a container that is at least twice the width of the root ball of the plant. This will provide enough space for the plant to grow and help prevent it from becoming overcrowded, reducing the risk of self-seeding. Dwarf varieties of agapanthus are particularly well-suited for pot cultivation.
Additionally, maintain a healthy garden environment by controlling pests such as snails and slugs. The dense leaves of agapanthus can create a sheltered environment for these pests, which may damage the plant or surrounding foliage. Lightly sprinkle snail and slug bait around the base of the plants to manage their population.
Furthermore, agapanthus plants benefit from division to create more plants and encourage new growth. Use a sharp shovel to dig up a mature plant and divide it into several sections, each with roots and foliage. Replant these sections in well-drained soil or containers, maintaining proper spacing to reduce the likelihood of self-seeding.
Finally, when growing agapanthus from seeds, be mindful of the planting location and maintenance. Choose a spot that receives full sun or partial shade throughout the day, as plants in shadier conditions may produce fewer flowers. Regularly remove any damaged or yellow leaves, as well as flower stems before they set seed. Proper care and maintenance will help control the spread of seeds and promote healthy growth.
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Frequently asked questions
It can take two to three years for Agapanthus to bloom from seed.
Collect the seeds when the seedhead is turning brown and the capsules are starting to burst. If the weather is cold, you can collect them early and store them in a paper bag, but it is better to let them ripen on the plant.
Sprinkle the seeds on a planting mix and cover with a thin layer of soil (about 1/4 inch). Place the tray in a warm, sunny location and water regularly. After germination (which takes about a month), move the tray to a cool, bright area.
Once the seedlings are big enough, transplant them into small individual pots. Cover the potting mix with a thin layer of sharp grit or coarse sand. Keep the plants in a frost-free area and transplant them into larger pots as needed. Plant outdoors in spring, after the danger of frost has passed.
