Description
Massonia is a genus of peculiar, southern African, alien-like bulbs related to hyacinths that grow two opposite prostrate leaves that hug the ground topped with a stemless cluster of green, white or pink flowers that sit atop the leaves or rise on strange stalks. It’s a perfect group for succulent lovers and those who love oddball things! M. thunbergiana is a striking species with green to blue-green leaves with variable hairs and pustulations. The flowers are green with yellow anthers. It hails from the Roggeveld, the coldest place in South Africa and could thus be hardy to about zone 8. The leaves and flowers grow in fall, winter and spring with bulbs dormant in summer. Reduce watering when dormant in summer but do not allow to go bone dry. Plant the bulbs with the top just below the soil surface. This is a borderline hardy to non-hardy bulb best grown as a houseplant or in a heated greenhouse or sunroom. It’s perfect for those interested in bulbs and houseplants and for succulent lovers looking to branch out. Our nursery-grown bulbs are adult blooming size as of 2022. Visit the webpage of the Pacific Bulb Society to view more photos of this cool species.
