2 named cultivars

perennial

Tuberose

The Story

Plant Bio

Polianthes tuberosa, the tuberose, is a bulbous perennial known only in cultivation, with a history of growing that reaches back to pre-Columbian Mexico. Grassy basal leaves surround stiff stems two to three feet high, which carry waxy white tubular flowers in August and September. The scent is heavy, sweet and carries some distance in still evening air.

The perfume is the entire reason to grow it, and it strengthens as the light fades, so the plant earns its place beside a seat, a path or an open window rather than in a border you only see from a distance. Bulbs flower once and then divide, so a clump takes a season or two to build up again after blooming.

Uses & Benefits:

Waxy white tubular flowers on stiff stems in late summer, when few scented bulbs are in bloom.

One of the strongest garden perfumes available, and a long-lasting cut flower.

Heavily scented evening flowers are worked by moths where it is grown outdoors.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

24 inches

Width

24 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Known only in cultivation; thought to have originated in Mexico

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant bulbs in spring once the soil has warmed.
Choose full sun and rich, free-draining soil.
Set bulbs about two inches deep, close together.
Water and feed steadily through the growing season.
Site them near seating, paths or open windows.
Lift and store bulbs dry over winter below zone 7.

Pro Tip

A bulb that has flowered will not flower again; it splits into offsets that need a season or two of feeding to reach flowering size.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in full sun in rich, free-draining soil ☀️
Feed steadily through the growing season 🌿
Site it where the evening scent is noticed 🌙
Lift and store bulbs dry in cold regions ❄️

Don't

Plant it before the soil has warmed ❌
Leave bulbs in cold, wet winter ground ❌
Expect the same bulb to flower a second year ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Lift
Plant

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Fragrance planting beside seating or a pathContainer display for a terraceCut flower bed for scented arrangements

Companion Plants

Dahlia Gladiolus Agapanthus Salvia Nicotiana

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Tuberose questions

What zones can Tuberose grow in?

Tuberose is hardy in USDA Zones 5–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Tuberose deer resistant?

Yes — Tuberose is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Tuberose bloom?

Tuberose typically blooms in late summer to early fall through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Tuberose need full sun?

Tuberose does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Tuberose drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Tuberose handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.