Also known as Lily of the Nile · 204 gardener saves
Agapanthus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Agapanthus, the genus most gardeners know as lily of the nile. We track 21 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Agapanthus varieties
Of 21 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedStorm Cloud African Lily
Agapanthus praecox 'Storm Cloud'
#2 most savedAfrican Lily
Agapanthus inapertus 'Nigrescens'
#3 most savedGalaxy Blue Lily of the Nile
Agapanthus praecox 'Galaxy Blue'
Northern Star African Lily
Agapanthus praecox 'Northern Star'
Lily of the Nile
Agapanthus praecox 'Luly'
African Lily Lily of the Nile
Agapanthus africanus
Galaxy White African Lily
Agapanthus praecox 'Galaxy White'
Queen Mum Agapanthus
Agapanthus orientalis 'Queen Mum'
White Heaven Agapanthus African Lily
Agapanthus praecox 'White Heaven'
Dwarf Agapanthus Peter Pan Lily
Agapanthus praecox 'Peter Pan'
Arctic Star African Lily
Agapanthus praecox 'Arctic Star'
Elaine African Lily Elaine Lily
Agapanthus praecox 'Elaine'
Browse all 21 Agapanthus varieties →
How to grow Agapanthus
What the Agapanthus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 21 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Agapanthus year
- FertilizeMarch–June100% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer when new growth emerges
- DivideMarch95% of varieties
Divide overcrowded clumps every 4-5 years in early spring
- Winter PrepOctober and November95% of varieties
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the crown for winter protection
- DeadheadJuly and August76% of varieties
Cut spent flower stalks down to the base for neatness
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March52% of varieties
Remove old, dead foliage before new growth begins
- PlantMarch, April and September48% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in well-drained soil.
Do
- Water regularly during the growing season 🌱
- Apply mulch to retain soil moisture
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years for vigorous growth
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Do not disturb plants during flowering
- Don't plant in heavy clay soil without amendments
What goes wrong with Agapanthus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap organic option |
| Agapanthus Gall Midge | Flower buds become deformed, discolored, and fail to open. Small maggots may be found inside. | Remove and destroy affected flower heads immediately. There is no effective organic control. Systemic insecticides like acetamiprid may offer some protection if applied before budding. |
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on stems | Apply horticultural oil or remove manually |
| Snails | Chewed leaves and slime trails | Apply iron phosphate bait or handpick |
| Root rot | Yellowing leaves and wilting | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Yellowing leaves, wilting, and a mushy crown, caused by overly wet soil. | Prevention is key. Plant in well-draining soil or containers. Allow soil to dry out between waterings. If rot occurs, repot into fresh, dry soil, removing any rotted roots. |
| Leaf spot | Brown spots on foliage | Remove affected leaves and apply copper fungicide |
Making more Agapanthus
Division
- Dig up mature clump in early spring.
- Separate into smaller sections with roots intact.
- Plant divisions immediately in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly and mulch for protection.
- Wait 6 weeks for establishment.
Seeds
- Sow seeds indoors in late winter in moist soil.
- Keep soil moist and provide bright light.
- Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost risk passes.
- Space plants 12 inches apart.
- Allow 8-10 weeks for germination.
Agapanthus questions
How many types of Agapanthus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 21 distinct Agapanthus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 204 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Agapanthus grow in?
Across its varieties, Agapanthus covers USDA Zones 6–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Agapanthus bloom?
Most Agapanthus varieties bloom in mid to late summer, mid-summer, mid to late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Agapanthus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Agapanthus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Agapanthus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
