The Webster Viridarium
The Leopard Lily
On a recent visit to Village Gate in Rochester, we couldn’t resist stepping through the inviting doors of Banner, Wing, & Keel. The shop carries a pleasing selection of small houseplants and cuttings that they call “Pixie Plants”. I was taken by an adorable Leopard Lily and had to bring it home.
You may know the Leopard Lily (Ledebouria socialis) as silver squill or wood hyacinth, a native to the savannas of South Africa.
Ledebouria socialis, commonly known as silver squill, leopard lily, or wood hyacinth, is a popular, easy-to-grow bulbous perennial houseplant prized for its striking foliage.
It grows 6–10 inches tall and wide, forming clumps of teardrop shaped bulbs. The leaves are long, slender, silvery-green with dark green “leopard” spots on top and often purple underneath. In spring, it produces 10 inch vertical stalks with small, greenish-white to pinkish bell-shaped flowers.
The leopard lily is a geophyte, whose bulbs are somewhat exposed and can store moisture for times of drought. While an evergreen, it does have a winter rest period.
The species name socialis refers to its tendency to form dense colonies, while the genus Ledebouria honors the botanist Carl Friedrich von Ledebour.
Cultivation and Care
It is considered a low-maintenance, beginner-friendly houseplant that thrives with minimal care.
- Light: Bright indirect light or partial shade (3–4+ hours of bright light daily). Avoid intense direct sun to prevent scorching, but too little light can cause leggy growth and faded colors.
- Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix (or houseplant mix amended with pumice/perlite). Neutral pH preferred. Plant bulbs in shallow, wide pots (pan pots), keeping the top half of the bulbs above the soil surface.
- Watering: Treat like a succulent. Water moderately during the growing season (spring/summer), letting the top inch or so of soil dry out between waterings. Reduce significantly in winter for its rest period. Overwatering leads to rot.
- Temperature: Prefers 60°F+ (normal room temps); hardy in USDA zones 10a–11. Protect from frost.
- Fertilizer: Light feeding every 2–3 months during growth with a balanced or cactus fertilizer.
- Propagation: Easily propagated by separating the small bulbils (offsets) that form around the main bulbs, best done during repotting in spring. Seeds are possible but less reliable.
- Toxicity: All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets.
Banner, Wing, & Keel is located at 274 N. Goodman Street in Village Gate. They are open Thursdays – Saturdays 11am – 6pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm.
