These dramatic sun-loving border plants produce large spherical flowerheads, usually in beautiful shades of blue, from midsummer onwards. These sway on tall stems above clumps of strappy foliage. Some types, especially the evergreens, may not be fully hardy, so are best grown in containers that can be protected from frost over winter
Agapanthus, commonly known as Lily of the Nile or African Lily, is a popular ornamental plant grown in gardens for its beautiful blue or white flower clusters As a gardener, knowing the right time and techniques for harvesting these flowers can help you get the most out of your agapanthus plant. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the key considerations and best practices for harvesting agapanthus successfully
Why Harvest Agapanthus?
Before jumping into the how-to it’s important to understand the reasons for harvesting agapanthus in the first place. Here are some of the main benefits
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Cut flowers – The blooms make excellent cut flowers that can last up to two weeks in a vase. Harvesting at the right time allows you to enjoy these flowers indoors.
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Crafting and drying – The flowers and seed pods can be used for various craft projects. Dried agapanthus flowers are especially popular.
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Propagation – Harvesting the seed pods allows you to collect seeds and propagate new agapanthus plants.
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Deadheading – Removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce more flowers throughout the season.
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Maintaining plant health – Getting rid of old flowers prevents diseases and pests from taking hold.
When to Harvest Agapanthus
Timing is critical when harvesting agapanthus. Here are some tips on identifying peak harvest time:
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For cut flowers, harvest when the buds first open or are slightly open. If left too long, the blooms will be shorter-lived indoors.
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For fully open flowers and seed pods, wait until the last flowers on the stem finish blooming.
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Avoid harvesting too early. Immature seed pods will not contain viable seeds for propagation.
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Deadhead spent blooms regularly throughout summer and fall to encourage reblooming.
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The best time is mid-morning when flowers are fully open and most vibrant.
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Stop harvesting 6-8 weeks before your first expected fall frost date.
Harvesting Techniques
Follow these simple steps for harvesting your agapanthus:
1. Use Clean, Sharp Tools
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Disinfect your pruners or scissors with rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading diseases.
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Ensure the blades are sharp for clean cuts that won’t crush stems.
2. Identify Stalks to Remove
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Deadhead spent flower stalks at the base.
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For cut flowers, choose healthy, vigorous stalks with nicely shaped buds.
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Avoid harvesting too many stalks from one plant.
3. Cut the Stems
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Cut the stems at an angle to maximize water intake.
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Leave about 6 inches of stem below the flower head.
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Make the cut just above a leaf joint on the stem.
4. Care for Immediately
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Place freshly cut flowers directly in a clean vase of water.
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For drying flowers or collecting seeds, place upright in a dry, airy spot out of direct sunlight.
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Check water levels daily and recut stems as needed.
5. Clean Up Properly
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Remove all deadheads and debris from around plants.
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Disinfect tools after use.
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Wash hands after handling to prevent ingesting toxic sap.
Tips for Harvest Success
Follow these additional tips to get the most out of your agapanthus harvest:
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Harvest in the coolest part of the morning when flowers are freshest.
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Immerse stems in warm water for 30 minutes before arranging to prevent wilting.
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Add floral preservative to the vase water to prolong cut flower life.
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Hang flower heads upside down in a dry area for drying.
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Collect seed pods when they turn brown and crispy. Store seeds in envelopes in a cool place.
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Don’t harvest too much. Leave some flowers for visual appeal and to nourish the plant.
Common Harvesting Issues
Some common harvesting problems and solutions include:
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Wilting flowers – Recut stems and change vase water. Use floral preservative.
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Short vase life – Harvest at the right stage before flowers open fully.
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Stem damage – Use very sharp pruners and cut correctly.
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Few blooms – Avoid overharvesting. Deadhead to encourage more flowers.
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Diseases – Disinfect tools between plants. Remove all diseased material promptly.
Learning when and how to harvest agapanthus gives you access to beautiful cut flowers and plant materials for crafting, drying, and propagation. Follow the tips in this guide to identify the right harvest times, use proper techniques, and troubleshoot issues. With the right approach, you can enjoy harvesting agapanthus successfully for many seasons.
All you need to know Before you get started
There’s a lot of variety in agapanthus so, when selecting the right one for you, it helps to bear in mind the following things:
- Agapanthus range in height, some are quite small 20-60cm (8in-2ft); while others can grow up to 1.5 m (5ft). Use the shorter ones at the front of the border, taller ones to the middle of the border. All sizes can be grown in containers
- Flower colour is key. There are inky blues, pale sapphires, purples and whites. Choose a shade that you like and works with the plants you plan to put it next to
- Deciduous types which lose their leaves are the toughest, hardest agapanthus. However, some agapanthus are tender (mainly the evergreen types) and these are best overwintered in a cool greenhouse
- Flowers are mainly rounded with trumpet shape. The more unusual agapanthus have pendent blooms in rounded flower heads
- Go for agapanthus that have received the RHS Award of Garden Merit as these have been tested and perform well in average garden conditions
- Buy hardy types in spring ideally. You can buy tender evergreen types at this time too, but they will need protection from frost
- You can buy potted plants in flower in summer, but be prepared to keep them well watered for the rest of the summer so they establish well
- Buy in containers and not in a packet, as the plant may have dried out and will be less likely to thrive
Planting
Grow all agapanthus in well-drained soil in full sun. Avoid planting in shade as they wont flower much.
In the border, ideally plant your agapanthus in spring. If they are growing in containers, plant them the same depth that they are in the pot. If you have bought bulbs or fleshy rhizomes, the noses should be covered with 5cm (2in) of soil. If your soil is prone to waterlogging, or you live in a cold area, grow agapanthus in containers.
RHS guide to planting perennials
Grow single plants in 20-23cm (8-9in) in diameter containers using a loam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 2 or No. 3. All container plants (hardy or tender) benefit from some winter protection (see Overwintering below). Ongoing care
- Water regularly in the growing season, especially in the first year after planting. Once established they will need little watering, but some in late summer in very dry years will help ensure good flowering in the next year.
- Feed border plants in spring when they start to come into growth with a balanced fertiliser, such as Vitax Q4, Growmore or fish, blood and bone at the manufacturers recommended dose
- For containers, use a liquid fertiliser, such as Phostrogen or seaweed feed, diluting according to the instructions on the bottle. Feed fortnightly from April until flowers begin to show colour
RHS guide to feeding plants
Caring for agapanthus – Golden Rules
FAQ
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