Albuca namaquensis ‘Spiral Grass’

A wild little tangle of corkscrew leaves gives this unusual bulb the look of a living sculpture. Native to rocky sandstone slopes from Namibia to South Africa, it stores reserves underground to survive seasonal dry spells. Its slender foliage develops more pronounced curls in bright, sunny conditions, while taller flower stalks produce nodding yellow flowers. Despite its grassy appearance, this quirky collector’s plant grows from a true bulb and belongs to the asparagus family.

☀️ Light
Provide very bright light with several hours of direct sunlight. Introduce stronger sun gradually. Insufficient light can produce longer, straighter leaves with less curl.

💧 Watering
Water thoroughly during active growth, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Growth generally occurs from fall through spring. If the leaves yellow and die back for summer dormancy, reduce watering substantially and keep the dormant bulb mostly dry. Resume regular watering when new growth appears.

🪴 Soil
Use a gritty, fast draining mix with plenty of pumice, perlite, or coarse sand. A container with drainage holes is essential.

🌱 Fertilizing
Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength while actively growing. Do not fertilize during dormancy.

🪴 Repotting
Repot when the bulb and its offsets crowd the container, preferably near the end of dormancy. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the bulb cluster and avoid burying the bulb deeply.