Rhodohypoxis
Family |
Hypoxidaceae |
Genus |
Rhodohypoxis |
Category |
Bulbs, Tropicals |
USDA Hardiness Zone |
8b - 9a |
Canadian Hardiness Zone |
8a |
RHS Hardiness Zone |
H4 |
Temperature (°C) |
- 10 - (-5) |
Temperature (°F) |
14 - 23 |
Height |
10 cm |
Spread |
0 - 0.1 m |
General Description |
Small but attractive mat-forming perennial flowers that are commonly found in the African veld. |
Landscape |
Small rock gardens, urban gardens and low pots or pans for informal garden use. Alpine displays, indoor live floral design. |
Cultivation |
Rhodohypoxis thrive in well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to acidic loam or sand. They require full sun but can tolerate partial sun to a certain degree. Can withstand most dry cold conditions. They cannot withstand Canadian winter wet conditions, so it is highly recommended to shelter them if your area is prone to wet winters. |
Growth |
Slow |
ID Characteristic |
Grassy spear-like leaves with six-lobed, star-shaped, matte-textured flowers. The flowers are at leaf-tip height from the ground – roughly 10 cm. Its leaves are primarily a rich spring green with an outline of very pale yellow-green. Rhodohypoxis can be observed in different colours, from magentas, lilac purples, whites and occasionally a mixture of white and lilac. |
Pests |
Susceptible to glasshouse red spider mites and thrips when grown indoors. No known diseases. |
Habitat |
Rocky plains. |
Leaf Description |
Grassy, spear-shaped leaves. |
Flower Description |
Six-lobed, star-shaped flowers. |
Colour Description |
Rich spring green leaves outlined with a much paler green-yellow. Flowers that range from magentas, to lilac purples, to reds and even a combination of white and one or more of magentas, lilacs or reds. Green stems that match the inner green of the leaves. |
Texture Description |
Smooth leaves with very fine hairs. Matte but smooth flower petals. |
Notable Specimens |
Rhodohypoxis 'Eva-Kate' at RHS Garden Rosemoor in North Devon, England. |
Propagation |
Can be propagated either by seed or by division. To seed, sow Rhodohypoxis directly into pots in spring or as soon as they ripen. Divide in late autumn. |