In its native habitat of the Eastern Cape of Africa, Veltheimia bracteata can be found growing in forests and coastal scrub locations. Its common names Cape Lily and Forest Lily arise from this native habitat. This winter-flowering bulb is actively growing through the winter months, with its flowers blooming in late winter to early spring. After blooming, dieback begins and the plant will remain dormant for a period of time. New leaves will appear in late-summer into fall. In can grow as an evergreen in locations that remain frost-free and have rainfall throughout the year. Prior to blooming the buds are in an upright position. As they progress, they will arch outward. By the time the buds open they will be nodding downward. In other than its native locations it is often grown as a houseplant or as a container plant that can be protected from freezing temperatures. Place in a bright location without direct sunlight. Choose a pot that will allow a few years' growth. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Caterpillars may eat the flower buds. Slugs and snails can cause damage to the leaves. More information on Veltheimia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Fronds
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Undulate
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The foliage is showy green and strap-shaped. The edges are wavy and appear as a rosette at the base of the flower stem.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Typically, blooms are pale pink, lavender-pink, deep rose pink or coral-pink. Occasionally, flowers can be white, pale yellow to yellow-green. The tips of the buds are green, the open flowers are a lighter color at the mouth. The flowers have a speckled rather than even coloring.
Bloom time
Spring; Winter
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
If pollination is successful, after the flowers fade, a large 3-winged capsule will appear. The capsules carry small, black, pear-shaped seeds.
Stem color
Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Tall, leafless stems emerge from the low growing foliage.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South Africa
Wildlife value
Attractive to birds and butterflies.
Attracts
Butterflies
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Colorful; Easy to Grow