Bulbine is a charming, compact plant that has a surprising number of applications in the desert landscape. But for all its attributes, it’s not used as often as it could be. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this flexible South African native.
Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens) is a charming desert plant that defies categorization. It’s been described as a perennial, a succulent, a shrub, a sub-shrub, and a ground cover. But I call it “underutilized”!
Because it is compact, upright, and low-litter, it’s recommended for use in rock gardens, mass plantings, small spaces, borders, containers, and raised planters in both residential and commercial settings.
Bulbine has bright green, fleshy, cylindrical leaves that look a lot like green onions. And much like medicinal aloe (Aloe vera), they contain a gel with medicinal properties.
Plants bloom nearly all year. Dainty golden-yellow flowers line 2 foot stalks that sway in the wind.
This low-maintenance plant hails from hot, dry areas of South Africa and thrives in the US desert southwest.
The flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies while the seeds attract granivorous birds.
Why I Like This Plant
- Evergreen, looks attractive all year long
- Blooms much of the year
- Low maintenance
- Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies
- No thorns, no litter, non-toxic
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a bulbine to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Bulbine should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 – 11. It will survive cold down to 15℉ but may show some leaf damage after extended hard frost. This is cosmetic only, and plants quickly rebound in the spring.
Plants can struggle in the summer heat of places like Phoenix, especially when planted in full sun.
Sun Exposure
Bulbine will grow in full sun but appreciates some light shade, especially in the afternoon. Too much sun will burn leaf tips. Plants do well in the dappled shade under a tree, but plants grown in part shade have fewer flowers.
Size and Growth Rate
Bulbine is a fast grower that reaches a mature size of 1 foot tall by 2 feet wide. It spreads by underground rhizomes and eventually forms small colonies.
Soil
It will grow in any type of soil — sandy, clay, loam, or rocky — as long as it’s well-draining. It’s tolerant of our desert alkaline soil.
Other Location Considerations
Because it has no thorns and is non-toxic, it’s a plant you can feel comfortable growing anywhere it might come in contact with pets and people. That makes it a good choice for lining walkways and driveways, or putting near a pool.
Bulbine:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Bulbine |
| Scientific Name | Bulbine frutescens |
| Origin | South Africa |
| Plant Type | Evergreen perennial |
| USDA Zones | Zones 8 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 15℉ |
| Flower Color | Yellow, orange |
| Flower Season | Winter, spring, fall |
| Mature Size | 1′ high x 2’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full sun, part shade |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | None |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, no litter, non-toxic |
| Wildlife | Attracts hummingbirds, bees Rabbit resistant |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any perennial in the desert is to dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant perennials is in the fall. This gives your plant three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for Bulbine
Whether you’ve recently planted a bulbine or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water
During the first growing season, give your plant about ½ gallon of water once a week while it’s establishing its root system.
After that, the University of Arizona recommends watering desert perennials on this schedule:
| Spring (March – May) | 10 – 14 days |
| Summer (May – Oct.) | 7 – 10 days |
| Fall (Oct. – Dec.) | 10 – 14 days |
| Winter (Dec – March) | 14 – 21 days |
Be careful not to overwater, especially in cooler weather.
Should You Fertilize?
There is no need to fertilize bulbine. They get all the nutrients they need from the surrounding desert soil. But if you keep one in a pot, fertilize lightly a few times a year when it is actively growing.
How to Prune & Propagate
Bulbine doesn’t need pruning, but you can remove dead or damaged leaves anytime you see them.
Deadheading spent flowers keeps your plant looking fresh and encourages more blooms.
It’s recommended that you dig up clumps and divide them every 3 to 5 years. This prevents overcrowding and keeps them looking their best. This also provides you with a supply of new free plants.
Bulbine Cultivars
Bulbine naturally occurs in yellow, but two popular hybrids have golden-orange flowers – ‘Hallmark’ and ‘Tiny Tangerine.’
I’ve rarely seen the yellow-flowered species either grown or for sale. When I’ve seen bulbine, it’s usually been one of these cultivars.
Plant Lover Facts
Bulbine (Bulbine frutescens) also goes by the common names stalked bulbine, orange bulbine, and shrubby bulbine.
In its native South Africa, it’s known as the burn jelly plant because the leaves produce an aloe-like juice that’s used to treat burns, rashes, insect bites, and other skin conditions. A tea made from the leaves is a traditional treatment for coughs, colds, and arthritis.
The genus name Bulbine comes from the Latin word “bulbus”, meaning onion or bulb. This name is misleading since these plants don’t have a bulbous base. Weirdly, the fact that the leaves look like green onions seems to have nothing to do with the genus name of this plant. 🤔
Have you grown this plant?
Was it a “hit” or a “miss” in your garden?
Please share your experience in the comments below!
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
Photo Credits
Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tortie tude, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons