Cyrtanthus spiralis Uitenhage (3 yr 2023)

Cyrtanthus spiralis is a highly desirable South African bulb known as the spiral leaf cyrtanthus. It is as beautiful in foliage as it is in flower with twisted, corkscrew, green to blue-green leaves that are apparently adapted to better collect moisture from fog and limited rain. It flowers in late spring and summer at 12 inches high with clusters of 3-7 pendulous, tubular scarlet red flowers. In its native habitat it grows in dry habitats with summer rainfall. Allow it to dry out between deep waterings when in growth and keep dry when dormant in winter. Can remain evergreen if kept warm and with some moisture in winter. Plant with the neck of the bulb protruding from the soil. Best to protect from freezing. Our nursery-grown bulbs are 3 years old as 2023 and will reach adult blooming size within a few years. But who cares? It’s all about the foliage! Please note that the degree of spiraling can vary with growing conditions. We aren’t yet sure what the best conditions are to encourage spiraling but we assume full sun and leaner conditions.