Corn Lily

A South African corm with wiry stems bearing star-shaped flowers in remarkable shades of turquoise, green, pink, and orange with dark centers. Corn lilies need excellent drainage and a warm, dry summer dormancy, thriving in Mediterranean and coastal climates. Plant in groups for a dazzling spring display of jewel-toned flowers.

Ixia can be grown from seed sown in autumn in pots of gritty, well-drained compost. Scatter seeds on the surface and cover lightly with fine grit. Keep moist through winter and spring, allowing pots to dry out during summer dormancy. Seeds typically germinate within four to eight weeks. Grow seedlings on for two to three growing seasons before transplanting, maintaining the wet-winter, dry-summer cycle. First flowering usually occurs in the third year from seed.

Plant ixia corms in autumn, four inches deep and three to four inches apart, in a sheltered, sunny location with excellent drainage. In their native South Africa, these corms experience wet winters and bone-dry summers, so Mediterranean and coastal climates with dry summers are ideal. In colder or wetter climates, grow ixia in pots in a cool greenhouse or cold frame where moisture can be controlled.

During the winter and spring growing season, provide consistent moisture through rainfall or careful watering. The narrow, grass-like foliage emerges in autumn and the extraordinary flowers, including the rare turquoise-green of Ixia viridiflora, appear in late spring. Once flowers fade and foliage begins to yellow, stop watering entirely.

In zones below 7, lift corms after foliage dies back, dry them in a warm place for a week, and store in paper bags at room temperature through summer. Replant in autumn. In mild climates where corms can remain in the ground, plant in raised beds or against warm walls where summer rain cannot reach them. Avoid heavy clay soils which hold too much moisture.

Ixia pairs beautifully with other South African bulbs that share similar cultural requirements, including sparaxis, freesia, babiana, and tritonia. Plant alongside drought-tolerant Mediterranean perennials like lavender, rosemary, and cistus. In containers, combine with other winter-rainfall bulbs for a South African themed display. The slender stems and small flowers look charming weaving through low groundcovers.

Ixia demands sharply drained, sandy or gravelly soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Heavy or water-retentive soils will cause corm rot. Amend clay soils generously with coarse sand and grit, or plant in raised beds with a free-draining mix. Apply a light dressing of bone meal at planting time. Feed with a dilute liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the active growing season. Cease all feeding and watering as foliage yellows.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Cut ixia flower stems for arrangements when the first two or three flowers on the spray have opened. The wiry stems with their jewel-bright flowers create delicate, airy bouquets. Place in cool water immediately after cutting and display in a bright location. Cut flowers last five to seven days. The unusual colors, especially the turquoise-green varieties, are stunning in floral design. Allow some stems to remain on the plant to set seed for future propagation.

Storage & Preservation

After foliage dies back in early summer, lift corms in climates with wet summers. Brush off soil, remove the spent outer husk, and dry in a warm, well-ventilated location for one to two weeks. Store in paper bags or mesh containers at room temperature in a dry place. Corms are small and can desiccate if stored too long, so replant in autumn promptly. In dry-summer climates, corms can remain in the ground year-round.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

The primary challenge is providing the dry summer dormancy these South African corms require. In areas with summer rainfall, growing in containers or under rain shelters is the most reliable approach. Corms are frost-tender and must be lifted in cold climates, adding to the maintenance effort. Some species, particularly the coveted viridiflora, can be slow to establish and may not flower in their first season after planting.

Growing Tips

1. Plant Ixia corms in full sun, as the flowers will not open properly in shaded positions and stems will become weak and floppy without direct sunlight for at least six hours per day.
2. Ensure excellent drainage by adding coarse sand or fine gravel to heavy clay soils before planting, since Ixia corms will rot quickly in waterlogged ground during their winter growing period.
3. Space corms 8-10 cm apart and plant them 5-8 cm deep with the pointed end facing upward for strongest emergence and most natural-looking display.
4. Water moderately during the active growing season from autumn through spring, keeping soil evenly moist but never saturated, and stop watering entirely once foliage begins to yellow in late spring.
5. Apply a low-nitrogen, high-potassium liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks during active growth to promote strong flowering without encouraging excessive soft leaf growth.
6. In regions where winter temperatures regularly drop below minus 5 degrees Celsius, grow Ixia in containers that can be moved to a frost-free greenhouse or cold frame during the coldest months.
7. Plant corms in clusters of at least 15-25 for the best visual impact, as individual plants have slender stems and sparse foliage that look sparse when grown in isolation.
8. After flowering, resist the urge to cut back green foliage early, as the leaves need several weeks of photosynthesis to replenish the corm's energy reserves for the following season.
9. Lift and divide congested clumps every three to four years to maintain vigour, separating daughter cormlets and replanting them at the correct spacing for continued strong flowering.
10. Protect emerging shoots from slugs and snails in early autumn by using organic slug pellets or copper tape barriers around the planting area, as tender young growth is highly attractive to these pests.