The reason Lachenalias are common in Africa is because of the climatic conditions prevailing there. The region’s yearly rainfall comes in the winter and the summer is marked by drought. This environment gave rise to geophytes. Geophytes retreat underground when the weather is harsh. They remain dormant in the soil until it is time to send up new leaves and flowers.

Lachenalia bulbs are commonly known as Cape cowslip because they resemble the Primula genus. There are about 110 species of Lachenalia with the latest species having been discovered in the wild last year. Lachenalias are considered a prized possession for bulb collectors. People have been collecting these flower bulbs since the 17th century when records show people in the Dutch East India Company were collecting them. The initial name for lachenalias was Hyacinthus but, in 1784, a new genus was developed. It was named lachenalia after the Swiss botanist Werner de la Chenal.

Lachenalias come in a variety of colours and this is the main reason people like them. The colours range from the hot red of Lachenalia bulbifera to the ultraviolet-blue of Lachenalia namaquensis. These bulbs are worth investing in as they last for weeks.

Lachenalia blooms are usually found on single spikes or as racemes on top of a thick and, usually, mottled stem. These flowers can be found in three basic shapes: tubular, bell-shaped or urn-shaped. They don’t tend to be scented but a few species do have a delightful, powdery sweet fragrance.

Most of the species of lachenalias have only one pair of leaves but there are some exceptions. Most of the leaves in the various species are wide and fleshy with a few exceptions like the Lachenalia contaminate where the leaves are thin like grass. Some varieties have leaves with dark spotting and there are some with leaves that have distinctive pustules or blister like bumps.

The most commonly cultivated species of the Lachenalia is the Lachenalia aloides. This species is easily acquired from specialist shops as it is the most popular member of the genus. It is the most colourful variety and the leaves are also colourful. The leaves have purple tiger stripes and the tubular flowers are bright yellow accented with red and green. They are seen in winter and early spring where they tend to hang down from a ten inch, richly variegated, stalk.

Another Lachenalia strain, Lachenalia viridiflora, blooms around thanksgiving. These flowers have a unique colour that is neither turquoise nor green. This plant as not as flashy as Lachenalia aloides but is more popular among garden enthusiasts. Other varieties of Lachenalia include the Lachenalia mutabilis and Lachenalia framesii. These strains produce tiny flowers that are delicately coloured. They look more like miniature orchids than a typical Lachenalia. The inner petals of the Lachenalia mutabilis are chartreuse with outer petals of maroon and purple. The Lachenalia framesii have inner petals of magenta with outer petals of green.

It is quite easy to grow lachenalias as they are very adaptable and easy to cultivate. There is no pre-treatment required. All you have to do is to place a few bulbs in a pot which is big enough to hold them. These bulbs have to be planted about 50mm to 75mm (2 to 3 inches) deep. There is no harm in overcrowding lachenalias as they give a better display when planted this way. They produce numerous bulblets that can be separated and repotted if required.

These South African bulbs are found in rocky soils that are nutrient poor so it is better to simulate this soil for cultivation. Use a well drained mix with minimal to no humus in it. It is best to grow these bulbs in a mixture of three parts bark, one part grit and one part sand. Some people also suggest using coarse sand mixed with some compost. There is no need to fertilize the soil. You can use low nitrogen fertilizer but it is best if you don’t.

Once the bulbs have been potted, you have to water them but there is no need to water again until the leaves appear above the surface of the soil. Once the pot seems to have dried out, give it a good shake. Never let the soil dry out completely as this can trigger dormancy and stress the bulbs. A sign of a problem brewing in the bulbs is the leaf tip turning brown. Don’t water Lachenalia bulbs too often because too much water in a poorly drained soil will rot the bulb.

As the weather turns warmer you will find the leaves of the Lachenalia will start to turn yellow and wilt. These bulbs are cool weather growers so reduce the water supply for them until the leaves are all yellow. At this point you have to stop watering. Don’t induce dormancy in the bulb till the bulb reaches this point. If the bulb has green leaves – water it.  During the summer dormancy period move the containers of bulbs to a dry place.

The best time to repot Lachenalias is around August and September. This is because the cool evening temperatures and warm days tend to stimulate good growth of the roots in the fall. The ideal temperature is between 10°C to 21°C (50°F to 70°F). Lachenalias can tolerate more shade than other South African plants but they still need as much sunlight as you can provide. They tend to lose their mottled leaf look and become lank when they don’t get enough sunlight.

It is also easy to grow Lachenalias from seeds but sow the seeds thinly to prevent overcrowding. At a temperature of 18°C (65°F) the seeds germinate in 4 to 5 weeks, and should not be disturbed till the end of the first growing season.