This flower is a showstopper in any garden.
Its foliage grows in a fan-shaped pattern, and the leaves are sword-shaped.
It’s adorned with pretty, white, playful petals that have purplish blue and yellow markings.
Photo:Margot Kiesskalt/Getty Images
Needless to say, these beautiful flowers make a wonderful addition to your flower beds.
“African iris are very versatile when it comes to soil requirements.
As far as light is concerned, African irises love the sun.
“In the very hottest regions, late afternoon shade is absolutely fine for these beautiful plants.”
Cubian states that fertilizer is optional if you have infused compost into the soil.
Temperature and Humidity
The African iris is a relativelycold-hardy plantand very tolerant of high summer temperatures.
“They grow in Zones 8 to 11,” Heinrich says.
“Ensure your plant sits in a comfy spot where you don’t feel cold or hot.
Its ideal temperature is between 65-85 F,” Cubian advises.
“This is not the right way to tend to an African iris.”
Heinrich advises that you should ensure you have enough room for African irises before you plant.
“These plants can grow to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity,” he says.
Propagating
Heinrich says there are two ways to propagate African iris.
“The first way is to divide them, which can be done quite easily,” he explains.
“They grow on rhizomes, and a single mother plant can produce dozens of baby plants.”
He continues: “you could also propagate easily from seed.
Seed pods form on the old flower spikes, and these can be collected.
The seeds sprout in seed trays and are transplanted once they are approximately 3 feet tall.”
“These plants multiply quickly and will rapidly outgrow your containers.”
There is one exception, however.
You should keep the soil moist until they germinate in four weeks.
He also advises placing them in a spot with direct sunlight, such as window sills.
If you are growing them in pots, you will want to bring them indoors before the first frost.
However, rhizomes can be prone to fungus if not stored correctly.
The best treatment for aphids and borers isneem oil.
“These are best controlled by removing any dead leaves and keeping the plant maintained and healthy.”
They would make a great addition to your pollinator garden, which will benefit the ecosystem.
African irises are similar to other irises and are spread by rhizomes.
However, they also produce seed pods that can allow them to spread.
Remember, dividing them from the mother plant is the easiest way to propagate.
This beautiful bloom can be toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.
