Common Name: St. Bernard's lily
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Native Range: Eastern Africa
Zone: 11 to 12
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers indoors
Bloom Description: Greenish-white
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Ground Cover
Flower: Insignificant
Leaf: Evergreen
Culture
Best grown in evenly moist, rich, well-draining soils in part shade. Too much direct sun, particularly hot, afternoon sun, can scald the foliage. Hardy in Zones 11 and above. Can be grown as a houseplant where not hardy. Plants prefer a humid growing environment to prevent leaf tips and leaf margins from browning. Consider placing pots in shallow trays of wet pebbles and/or regularly misting the foliage with water to maintain good humidity levels in dry weather. Remove non-ornamental flower spikes as they appear unless seeds for propagation are needed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Chlorophytum amaniense is a herbaceous perennial native to tropical southern Africa. Mature plants will reach up to 1.5' tall with a similar spread. The foliage is held on stout stems that emerge from a rootstock made up of slender rhizomes. The oblong to lanceolate leaves can reach up to 9" long and 2" wide. The petioles (leaf stems) have distinct wings and clasp the stem toward the base, creating a rosette. A 6" long raceme of small, greenish-white flowers will emerge from the center of the rosette. Plants bloom seasonally if grown outdoors or rarely if kept as a houseplant. The flowers are not considered horticulturally significant.
Genus name comes from the Greek words chloros meaning green and phyton meaning a plant.
The specific epithet amaniense refers to Amani, a city in Tanzania.
Problems
Leaf tips can turn brown from too little water, too low humidity, and/or too much salts and excess of fluorides in the water. The foliage will also scald if placed in too much direct sun. The petioles (leaf stems) are brittle and can break easily if not handled properly.
Uses
Use as a foliage accent plant in tropical mixed borders or containers. Mass to create a ground cover. Avoid planting near highly trafficked areas as the petioles (leaf stems) are brittle and can break easily. Suitable for use as a houseplant.