Baboon Flower
| When to Plant: | |
| Spring |
| Blooms: | |
| Early Summer |
| Light Requirements: | |
| Full Sun |
| Plant Height: | ||
| 6-12" | ||
| Hardiness Zones: | |
| Grow as Perennial in zones 8-11. Grow as Annual elsewhere. Find Your Zone |
| Planting Depth: | |
| 3-4" |
| Plant Spacing: | |
| 2-4" |
| Plant Type: | |
| Corm |
Babiana stricta is a South African native that produces up to 10 freesia-like blooms in purple, blue, mauve, cream or pale yellow per short stem spike. Its foliage emerges in a fan of narrow, erect, lance-shaped, hairy leaves. Its nickname 'baboon flower' originated from wild baboons that were seen digging up the corms and eating them. They were also eaten by the indigenous people of South Africa.
Plant Babiana in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Before planting, soak the corms in lukewarm water 3-4 hours to jump start development. Plant in a sunny location that receives 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Babiana loves soil that is rich, porous and drains well but still holds enough water for the roots. If your soil is heavy clay and drains slowly, or very sandy and does not hold water, add organic soil amendments like peat moss or ground bark. Spread a 3-4 inch layer of soil amendment if needed, add fertilizer and incorporate into the soil to a depth of 10 inches.
Plant in groups with corms spaced 2-4" apart for the best show. Babiana corms should be planted 3-4" deep. Water thoroughly at planting. Water regularly while growing and in bloom so that water will reach the roots. Mulch to keep the soil cool and to prevent the soil from drying out. Apply fertilizer before and after flowering.
In zones 6 and below, corms should be lifted and stored in sand at 50-60ºF to over winter. To avoid soft rot, corms should be dried quickly.
For container planting, plant 10-12 corms per 12" pot. In the fall before the first frost, simply bring the container indoors. The corms will be happy over wintering in the dry soil. Replant in spring with fresh soil. Divide in the fall when needed.
Babiana are simple to grow in a dry, sunny, sheltered location. For northern areas, best grown in pots and containers for easy lifting in winter. Plant along borders or paths and in rock gardens.
