Silver Squill Ledebouria socialis

The silver squill is a geophyte grown for its colorful foliage. It is native to the dry savannas of the Cape Provinces of South Africa and is a member of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It was named in honor of Carl Friedrich von Ledebour, a German-Estonian botanist. The epithet, socialis, is Latin, meaning "growing in colonies" and references its habit of quickly forming dense colonies of plants.

This plant requires bright, indirect sun or partial shade. It is very drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. Allow the top inch of the potting medium to dry out before watering. During the winter months, it should be watered less often. It prefers a well-drained, humus-rich, sandy potting medium with a neutral pH. It will tolerate most indoor temperatures. If planted outdoors, temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher are preferred with an average to low humidity. It is intolerant to temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and needs to be overwintered indoors. It can be propagated by the division of its bulb clusters. Seed propagation is possible, but it is not recommended because of inconsistent germination. 

The plant grows up to 6 to 10 inches tall and equally as wide. Teardrop-shaped bulbs that sit above the ground and stems of this plant can store moisture during a drought. The foliage emerges from the bulbs, and the lance-shaped leaves form a rosette. The upper surface of the leaves is silvery green with darker green leopard spots, and the undersides are purple. In the spring, small greenish-white flowers bloom on short pink stems. Dozens of flowers grow along 10- to 11-inch reddish-green stalks.

The silver squill is an attractive, compact, and low-maintenance houseplant. In warmer climates, it may be grown outdoors as a groundcover or border plant. If ingested, be aware that the plant is toxic; therefore, exercise caution is the presence of small children and pets.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scale, and thrips. This plant may be susceptible to root rot, leaf spot, botrytis, rust, and powdery mildew. Too much direct sunlight and inadequate water can cause the leaves to turn brown at the edges. Wearing gloves is suggested when handling this plant since the sap can cause skin irritation.