How to make agapanthus bloom: 7 tips

Recognizable mainly because of its breathtaking bloom, and agapanthus or blue flower is a plant full of quality. And contrary to popular belief, even if it only really comes into its own in summer, this plant manages to survive the cold. So it has its place in our garden and on our terrace.

Agapanthus in a few words

Agapanthus is a plant native to South Africa and Australia. There are about ten species whose inflorescences are in umbels from 15 to 20 cm in diameter and vary from white to dark blue.

This characteristic color of the plant associates it with gardens with water or a pool. The agapanthus usually blooms between June and August. Although they are not particularly sensitive to the cold, you still need to do a minimum of maintenance for your agapanthus in winter.

Moreover, the plant has a height varying between 30 to 80 cm. The smallest species in Europe is called Agapanthus “Peter Pan” or Agapanthus africanus.

Some highlights of agapanthus:

• Sumptuous and long flowering
• Resistance to high heat, but also to a lack of water
• Good resistance to cold
• Easy to maintain and to grow
• Adaptable to both pot and soil
• Withstands the salty atmosphere of the seaside

Our 7 tips for a successful agapanthus

1. Choose your agapanthus according to your region

In general, agapanthus have a certain resistance to cold, but some species are more robust than others. This is the case, for example, for the Northern Star, the Double Diamond and the Navy Blue, which have good resistance to frost.

Choose these species in particular if you live in the north or west of France. On the contrary, in regions with a milder climate, you have more freedom.

2. Agapanthus likes the sun, but not the wind

Agapanthus should be placed in a particularly sunny spot and sheltered from the wind. This is how it can give its best in terms of flowering. If your plant is in a pot, you can even move it around over the weeks in search of better sunlight.

3. Agapanthus doesn’t really like water

Agapanthus is not really fond of water. Avoid placing it in a too humid area of your garden and avoid being too generous with watering. If you put it in a pot, take care of the drainage.

You can even add granular sand or substrate, or even gravel at the bottom of the pot to prevent water from stagnating a little too much. Don’t forget to put holes in the bottom of your pot. Finally, prefer earthen pots because they evacuate water more quickly.

4. Agapanthus lives even better in a small space

Agapanthus does very well in a pot. It can even be said that it does better in a pot than in the ground. If you have chosen to grow it in a pot, there is no need to rush to get it out of there. On the contrary, make sure the plant is mature before putting it in the ground.

5. Agapanthus requires minimal winter treatment

If you are in areas with mild winters, let nature take its course and leave your agapanthus alone. On the contrary, in regions where winter can be harsher, cut the foliage of your plant before the first frost and mulch your agapanthus.

Prefer a mulch of more than 20 cm which can isolate it well from the cold. If your agapanthus is in a pot, and you can find a small space for it indoors, it is best to bring it inside.

6. Plant your agapanthus in spring

Spring is the best time to plant agapanthus so that it can harden off before winter arrives.

This remark is not really valid for regions that enjoy a milder winter like the south of France. In this case, you can do it in autumn. It is also not valid if your agapanthus are in pots and if you can bring them in during winter.

7. Keep slugs away

Agapanthus is a very hardy plant. It almost never gets sick, and all you need is good sun and not too much moisture to get a good bloom.

The only real enemy of agapanthus is slugs. Keep them away by placing them near plants like garlic, mustard or clovers. A small mixture of garlic and water sprayed regularly will also keep these little critters away.