African lily

Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns.

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Container Plant

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA page and no NC State page were found for this plant. Other sources not read by the safety review may report a sap irritant; this guide makes no claim either way. Not listed means no pet-safety verdict was found, not that the plant is safe. Keep pets from eating it and call a vet or the ASPCA Poison Control line if a pet seems unwell.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 8-10 for planting in the ground; a tender perennial that is best grown in containers and brought indoors where it is not winter hardy (Missouri Botanical Garden).
Light: full sun to part shade; site containers where they get afternoon shade
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 1.5 to 2 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide; flower stalks about 18-24 inches (Missouri Botanical Garden). Spacing: For containers, plant the rhizome 1/2 inch below the soil surface (Missouri Botanical Garden); no in-ground spacing figure is given in the sources checked.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon