Soldier-in-the-Box Albuca
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-BEW-kah
- Description
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Albuca, is a genus of perennial herbs, grown from bulbs, and native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is a flowering plant that contains about 117 different species. In general, the plants are slender, but robust, with many lily-like flowers. Depending on the species, the plant can produce from 3 to 150 flowers. These plants prefer well-drained, sandy soil and do best in full afternoon sun. They fall into the category of Tender III, which means they sustain frost injury at temperatures below 25 degrees F.
Albuca are planted from bulbs set 8 inches deep in pots, typically 3 bulbs for each 6 inch pot, with 2 inches between each bulb. They are typically planted in cultivated beds, sheltered from the wind, and once flowering, they are pollinated by insects. The stem is sheathed in leaves with linear blade and is generally fleshy and sappy with a mucus-like juice (the common name "slime lilies").
Diseases, Insect Pests and Other Plant Problems:
No known disease or pest issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Albuca
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa, from the Mediterranean to South Africa
- Distribution:
- Have been introduced into Arkansas, Mexico, and Western Australia.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- sandy soil
- Bulb Storage:
- Leave bulbs in dry planting medium and store at 45-48 degrees F (7-9 degrees C)
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Ovoid capsule containing black, flattened seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inflorescence a raceme; peduncle glabrous; bracts lanceolate to ovate-acuminate, not spurred; pedicels erect to ascending . Flower's color is yellow or white with green or red stripes and the flowers are scented, especially at night. Flowers usually appear with the leaves.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rubbery
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Shape:
- Filiform
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves produced at the same time as the flowers, filiform to lanceolate. The leaves can be glabrous (smooth) or pubescent (hairy), depending on species.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
