

Height : about 5 to 20 cm (depending on seasons)
Slow grower
A splendid bulbous plant, but beware... a poisonous beauty...
Its name of Boophone means "ox killer", because its bulb contains toxic alkaloids which kill any cattle which would venture to ingest it. But it can on the other hand be consumed without moderation with the eyes! Its beautiful tortuous leaves spread out in a remarkable fan, and its inflorescence is quite simply spectacular... Scented, it can contain up to 200 flowers of a beautiful pink-red luminous.
Its bulb is majestic and can reach 30 cm high. It rests in the hot season, it is then necessary to stop watering it and to keep it in a cold room in the dark.
Dare the Boophone!
Also known as : Bushman Poison Bulb, Century plant Candelabra Flower, Tumbleweed, Cape Poison Bulb, Fan Leaved Boophane, Kaffir Onion, Poison Bulb, Red Posy,
When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.
Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.
A true houseplant, place it in a warm and bright place, like a veranda or behind a window, direct sunlight suits them perfectly.
This plant is not frost and/or cold resistant and should not be planted outside except in limited parts of Southern Europe.
This plant can not be pruned If you feel that it is becoming too bulky, you can limit its growth by continuing to repot it and change its substrate but without increasing the size of the pot. If the root network becomes too important, do not hesitate to prune the roots.
Our plants are grown naturally, without chemical fertilizers, so we advise you to repot them regularly (twice a year) rather than adding fertilizer.
If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!