Garden Care Guide

African Lily Care

Agapanthus africanus

A drought-tolerant perennial known for its showy blue or white flowers that open on long stalks in summer. It likes full sun and well-drained soil. It dislikes having its roots disturbed.

Half-hardy · -10 °C / 14 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Natural rainfall is sufficient; irrigation is not needed.
  • Pruning: Remove only old leaves that are yellowed and rotted.
  • General care: Make sure drainage is very good to prevent root (rhizome) rot.
  • Pests & diseases: In excessively wet soil, look for signs of rot.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.
February
  • Fertilizing: At the end of the month, apply a slow-release, potassium-dominant fertilizer (such as NPK 5-10-10) to encourage flowering (do not overfeed).
  • Pruning: Remove the old leaves one last time before new growth begins.
  • General care: It is a suitable time to divide crowded clumps or plant new seedlings.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the newly emerging leaves for snails.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer as the plant emerges from dormancy.
  • Plant protection: Check the new leaves for aphids; if necessary, use soapy water made with Aleppo soap.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Usually healthy.
  • Frost risk: It is very low.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: To encourage flowering, start feeding once a month with a potassium-heavy liquid fertilizer (such as tomato fertilizer) (do not overapply).
  • Pruning: Remove only yellowing leaves.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Continue feeding with potassium-rich liquid fertilizer.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering. Remove spent flower stalks at the base. Do not cut the leaves back in winter; green leaves provide protection against the cold. For container plants, divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigor.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Apply mulch 5-7 cm thick over the root zone; it conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not press mulch against the stem. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Do not fertilize.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: In hot weather, watch out for the spider mite pest.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of drought stress.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the general condition.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Pest activity decreases.
  • General care: It is a good time to divide crowded clumps.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor the general condition.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Continue general cleaning.
  • General care: It is still a suitable time for planting new plants.
  • Pests & diseases: Be careful about the risk of rot.
November
  • Watering: Natural rainfall is sufficient.
  • Pruning: Remove only rotting leaves.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure there is good drainage.
  • Frost risk: Low risk, but mulching is a good precaution.
December
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Root rot is the biggest risk in winter.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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