Leudebouria socialis
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This Leudebouria socialis is an easy plant to cultivate. It is widely grown by cactus and succulent fans. It has handsome mottled silver and green leaves with violet undersides which grow from a teardrop shaped bulb. When grown as a houseplant it is best to stop watering in winter so that the plant puts out a new flush of leaves when watering is resumed in spring. This will encourage the plant to bloom. It has bluebell like inflorescences with small greenish flowers and reflexed tepals.
L. socialis was first described in 1870 as Scilla socialis by the English botanist John Gilbert Baker (1834-1920) and it often is still called by this name or Scilla violacea. Parts of this plant may be poisonous and it is best kept away from small children and pets.
This Leudebouria socialis plant makes a nice houseplant and can be grown in bright light. It can be planted outdoors in frost-free areas in well-draining soils. It also works well grown in cracks between rocks in rockeries or rock walls.
Drought tolerant – this bulb will go dormant in periods of long drought which usually occurs in winter in its native habitat. Needs some water during active growth and flowering.
Horticultural Data
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Names and Synonyms: Leudebouria violacea, Scilla violacea, Scilla socialis, Scilla paucifolia
Common Names: Silver Squill, Violet Squill, Bluebell, South African Scilla, Leopard Lily
Family: Hyacinthaceae
Origin: Native to South Africa where it grows in the savanna in summer-rainfall regions.
Height: 6-10″
Width: 3-6″
Cold Tolerance: 30 to 35°F; -1.1 to 1.7°C
Heat Tolerance: High heat tolerance
Light Requirement: Part shade outdoors, bright light or a sunny window if grown indoors as a houseplant
Water needs: Drought tolerant – this bulb will go dormant in periods of long drought which usually occurs in winter in its native habitat. Needs some water during active growth and flowering.
Maintenance: Remove spent flower spikes. Divide plants as desired. Fertilize lightly every 2 months or so when in active growth.
Uses: This plant makes a nice houseplant and can be grown in bright light. It can be planted outdoors in frost-free areas in well-draining soils. It also works well grown in cracks between rocks in rockeries or rock walls.
Propagation: Remove and repot individual bulbs. Bulbs should be planted with just their base in the soil so that they do not rot.
Problems: This plant requires good drainage.
Research Links:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2117/
http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/LEDEBOURIA/Ledebouria_socialis/Ledebouria_socialis/Ledebouria_socialis.htm
http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Ledebouria_socialis
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=1704
Shipping & Availability
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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