Ixia is a genus of short-lived perennials that gives us a number of ornamental plants referred to as ‘African Corn Lilies’.
They grow from corms (sometimes called bulbs) and might be grown as annuals in the UK or given a protected site in winter to make it through to subsequent years.
Ixias are South African plants which bloom in an interesting variety of colours, producing attractive, star-shaped blooms.
The star-shaped flowers form on wiry stems and make great cut flowers, so they are often used in floral arrangements and for cut flower displays inside the home – as well as looking good in the garden.
Though not necessarily the easiest plants to grow in wetter, cooler regions of the UK, they can potentially be a good choice for the warmest and most arid regions, since these plants appreciate warm and relatively dry conditions.
“The warmest winter locations in the UK also tend to be the wettest, such as on the western coasts,” explains Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.
“Growing in raised beds on slopes and sandy soils will help Ixia bulbs survive outside in milder regions.”
With its vibrant, colorful blooms resembling exploding fireworks, it’s no wonder gardeners love growing the African corn lily. Its scientific name is Ixia, but this South African native goes by other common monikers like wand flower and corn lily. If you’re considering adding this beauty to your landscape, you likely want to know how fast it grows from planting to flowering. Let’s explore the growth rate and life cycle of this eye-catching bulb.
Overview of Growth Stages
The African corn lily is a tender perennial bulb that flowers in late spring or early summer depending on your climate It progresses through several key growth phases
- Germination: Seeds sprout and seedlings emerge (2-4 weeks after sowing)
- Leaf and root growth: Foliage and roots expand for support (8-12 weeks)
- Flower bud formation: Swelling buds appear on stems (14-18 weeks)
- Flowering: Buds open to reveal gorgeous blooms (16-20 weeks)
- Seed production: Flowers fade and seed pods develop (20-24 weeks)
So from seed to flower, the African corn lily takes about 4-5 months to complete its life cycle under ideal growing conditions. The timing can vary based on factors like variety, climate, and care regimen.
Speeding Up Growth
If you start with transplants or bulbs instead of seeds, you’ll shave off several weeks from the African corn lily’s development. But you can also speed things up for quicker flowering by providing optimal care.
Location
- Choose a site with full sun to partial shade.
- Avoid excess wind or cold drafts.
- Pick a spot with well-draining soil.
Water
- Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated.
- Allow the top inch to dry between waterings.
- Avoid both drought and overwatering.
Nutrition
- Fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a balanced formula.
- Work compost or organic matter into soil.
- Address any nutrient deficiencies promptly.
Maintenance
- Remove spent flowers and faded foliage.
- Control pests and diseases immediately.
- Stake/trellis tall varieties if needed.
With the proper growing conditions, you can expect foliage to fully mature within 2-3 months after spring planting. Flower buds should swell and open 4-6 weeks later for a total growing time of 18-22 weeks from bulb to bloom.
Factors Slowing Growth
On the flip side there are also some key factors that can delay flowering in African corn lilies
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Insufficient sunlight – Less than 6 hours of sun daily leads to reduced growth.
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Temperature extremes – Prolonged cold below 40°F or heat above 85°F slows development.
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Under or overwatering – Too little or too much moisture stresses the plants.
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Poor drainage – Wet, compacted soil stunts growth.
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Nutrient deficiencies – Lack of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium limits maturation.
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Pests/diseases – Damage from infestations disrupts normal growth.
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Overcrowding – Competition between plants for light and root space.
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Transplant shock – Stress after replanting bulbs or seedlings.
With one or more of these issues, the African corn lily may take 25-30 weeks or longer from planting to flowering. Careful monitoring and prompt adjustments to your care regimen can help minimize delays.
Growth Rate by Variety
Another factor impacting African corn lily’s speed to bloom is the particular cultivar grown. Some varieties are naturally quicker than others.
Fast maturing varieties (14-18 weeks to flower):
- Ixia ‘Cherry Bomb’
- Ixia ‘Excalibur’
- Ixia ‘Sunspot’
- Ixia viridiflora (green turquoise blooms)
Moderate growth rate varieties (18-22 weeks to flower):
- Ixia ‘Candy Floss’ (pink and white bicolors)
- Ixia ‘Marquette’ (yellow and purple)
- Ixia ‘Panorama’ (white with red center)
- Ixia ‘Rose Emperor’ (deep pink)
Slower maturing varieties (22-26 weeks to flower):
- Ixia ‘Hogarth’ (cream and maroon)
- Ixia ‘Spotlight’ (pastel rainbow)
- Ixia ‘Venus’ (soft pink)
- Ixia Yellow Emperor (bright yellow)
So if you’re eager to see flowers ASAP, choose fast-blooming varieties suited to your region. Slower types are better for gardeners who value foliage and don’t mind waiting a bit longer for blooms.
Enhancing Speed with Forcing
The most reliable way to accelerate African corn lily flowering is through forcing bulbs indoors. Forcing tricks the bulbs into thinking spring has arrived early, initiating rapid growth. Follow these tips:
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Start 6-8 weeks before desired bloom time.
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Keep bulbs moist but not soggy until sprouting.
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Move to brighter light as growth progresses.
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Provide consistent warmth around 70°F.
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Pot up sprouted bulbs in rich, well-draining soil.
With this specialized forcing environment, bulbs can flower in as little as 8-12 weeks from planting. Enjoy the accelerated show of color, then transplant back outside after blooming concludes.
Final Tips for Faster Flowers
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Purchase the largest bulbs available, as they bloom quicker.
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Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost.
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Give plants a head start in a greenhouse or cold frame.
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Stake and trellis tall varieties to prevent damage from flopping.
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Avoid drastic temperature swings day-to-night.
When cared for properly, the African corn lily transforms from bulb to brilliant bloom in about 4-6 months. A little extra attention to its cultural requirements can hasten the display, bringing the beauty of this South African native to your garden more quickly.
How To Grow Ixia
Ixia can be grown in the ground when grown as annuals or potentially as perennials in the very mildest parts of the UK, where frosts are not typically expected.
They can also be grown in containers, which can be a good idea for most growers in the British Isles because it allows for them to be brought indoors or undercover before colder weather arrives.
The bulbs can begin to experience damage when temperatures fall below -2°C.
Winter wet can also be an issue, even sometimes more of an issue than the winter cold, so they must be protected for winter in most areas.
Containers can be moved to a heated area indoors or in a greenhouse.
Corms left in the ground might also, in milder areas, simply be protected with a thick organic mulch in winter or you can lift the corms and store them until the following year.
Ixia needs to be grown in as warm a location as possible in full sun.
They will not thrive or bloom well in a cooler or more shaded spot and need to be sheltered from the wind and cold breezes.
They can be placed in a location with a south, east or west-facing aspect, as long as it is a sheltered and warm spot with full sun.
Ideally, Ixia will be placed in sandy soil that is free-draining or an equally free-draining potting mix in a container.
Drainage is particularly important as the corms have a tendency to rot if growing conditions become waterlogged.
How to plant a pot of Ixia (corn lily)
FAQ
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