How to Grow Albuca from Seed

According to some garden expert the Albuca spiral grass plants are not true grasses in the family Poeaceae. The Albuca spiral grass plants are magical little plants that spring from bulbs and they are a unique specimen for containers or warm season gardens. The Albuca spiral grass plants is a South African plant, caring for the plant requires a little knowledge about their native region and the conditions in which the plant grows. Actually with good care, you may even be rewarded with a spike of quirky dangling flowers. How do you plant Albuca? Continue reading to learn the tricks on how to grow Albuca spiral grass so you can enjoy this personality laden plant.

 

Albuca Spiral Plant Information

 Albuca is a genus of over one hundred types of plants, most of them actually originated in South Africa. The Albuca spiralis are also known as frizzle sizzle plants and corkscrew Albuca. The unusual foliage actually grows in a spring shape and coils up from the bulb with unique eye appeal. The plant bulb requires a cooling period to produce foliage and finally the flowers, so indoor plants can be challenging to grow. The Albuca spiral grass plants are fussy about drainage and water needs, which mean spiral grass plant care can be a challenge for those of us without green thumbs. The Albuca spiralis is hardy to USDA Hardiness zones eight to ten. The Albuca spiral grass plant requires a minimum temperature of sixty degrees Fahrenheit but will perform best in warmer temperatures during its growing season. The plants active growing season is winter when there is abundant moisture. When the dry summer arrives, the Albuca spiral grass plant will die back. In spring the plant produces numerous yellow-green nodding flowers that are said to smell of butter and vanilla. The plant attractive, slender curling leaves are affected by the amount of sun and water they receive. Low light conditions may produce less twisting in the plant leaves.

 

How Do You Care for An Albuca Spiralis?

The Albuca spiral grass plant grows naturally in scrublands, open woodlands and dry grasslands. The Albuca spiral grass is a prolific plant in its native region but only just getting known in Europe and the United States. Because the plant is so sensitive to cold, most of us will have to use it as a houseplant. Caring for the Albuca spiral grass plant starts with a potting mix that is well draining, as excess moisture can easily cause the bulb and roots to rot. Place the potted bulb in a sunny area with bright but indirect light for most of the day. The water needs of Albuca spiral grass plant are especially important. Too much water promotes rot but too little will affect the foliage production and ability of the plant to flower. In late fall you can begin to water the plant regularly, also keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Soon the first curling shoots will appear. Make sure you use a good liquid plant food diluted by half once per month until flowering. Once flowering is finished you can easily cut off the spent blooming stem and continue to water. When the temperatures heat up, you can move the Albuca spiral grass plant outside or keep it indoors. The indoor plants may retain their foliage but they will look ratty. The outdoor plants will lose the foliage and go dormant. Either way, the Albuca spiral grass plant will spring back in winter.

 

 Frizzle Sizzle Plant Propagation

Albuca spiral grass plant propagation is from seed. You can get the albuca spiralis seeds from an existing plant. Many of the Albuca species need a partner plant to produce seed, but Albuca spiralis is an exception. Flowers can last for a couple of weeks, but will produce tiny seeds once they have been pollinated. Indoor plants can rarely be pollinated due to the absences of insects, but you can cheat a little and reliably pollinate the plants yourself. Use a cotton swab to transfer pollen from one bloom to another. Once you have seed pods, you can open them and sow the fresh seed or dry them and sow within six months. Plant the albuca spiralis seeds at the same time the plant emerges from its dormancy in a flat and keep moderately moist. The albuca spiralis seeds should germinate within a week or so from planting.