Boophone disticha

Natural range and habitat of Boophone disticha

Boophone disticha is a bulbous member of the Amaryllidaceae family, found from southeastern South Sudan to southern Africa. It grows in dry grassland and on rocky slopes.

After flowering, the seedhead expands. Once ripe and dry, it breaks free and rolls, scattering seeds as it goes.

Caring for Boophone disticha

Give the plant full sun, allowing it to adjust to its position gradually. Keep temperatures around 18–28 °C, avoid prolonged temperatures below 5 °C and protect it from frost. Aim for 40–50% humidity; normal indoor humidity is suitable.

Its long, fleshy roots need a deep container and a very freely draining mix. Keep the neck and upper part of the bulb above the mix.

Let the leaves guide your watering. The timing of growth and rest varies with the rainfall pattern in the plant's region of origin. While leaves are actively growing, let the potting mix dry between waterings, then water and allow the extra water to drain away. Reduce watering as the leaves naturally yellow before the plant rests.

Once the leaves have died back naturally and the bulb is resting without leaves, stop regular watering. A bulb that stays firm after this natural dieback may simply be resting. When new leaves emerge, resume watering after the mix has dried.

Disturb an established bulb as little as possible and handle its fleshy roots gently. Repot when roots crowd the container or water no longer drains properly through the mix. If the roots are crowded, choose a pot only modestly larger.

Feed lightly during active leaf growth with a balanced houseplant fertiliser. Pause feeding once the leaves die back and the bulb rests.

Recognising and managing Boophone disticha problems

• Collapsing leaves in wet mix or a softening bulb base: Excess moisture and rot are possible. Stop watering, empty any water collected beneath the pot and inspect the roots if decline continues while the mix stays wet. When both roots and bulb are firm, let the mix dry before watering during active leaf growth and stop regular watering during a leafless rest that follows natural dieback. If roots are soft and brown but the bulb is still firm and enough healthy roots remain, cut rotten roots back to firm healthy tissue with a clean, disinfected tool and discard them. Repot in fresh, very freely draining mix in a clean pot with drainage holes, leaving the neck and upper bulb exposed. Wear gloves, avoid the poisonous sap and wash your hands afterwards. Extensive softening of the bulb may be fatal.
• Cottony insects at the leaf bases: Mealybugs may be hiding between the leaf bases. Inspect carefully and separate the plant if you suspect an infestation. Remove insects you can reach and keep checking concealed areas. If they persist, use a product labelled for mealybugs on this houseplant indoors. Test a small area before wider spraying, follow the label's instructions and repeat interval, and continue checking until the infestation is controlled.
• Weak new leaves leaning strongly towards the light: The plant may be receiving too little light. Increase its sun exposure gradually towards a position in full sun.

Boophone disticha is toxic to people and pets

• This plant is toxic. Keep every part away from children, cats and dogs.
• Toxic alkaloids are concentrated in the bulb, although other parts can also cause poisoning.
• Swallowing any part may cause drooling, vomiting, stomach pain, weakness or tremors. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional promptly, especially if the bulb was eaten.

Where does the name Boophone disticha come from?

Boophone combines Greek bous, meaning ox, with phonos, meaning slaughter, giving the sense ox-killer and warning of the bulb’s toxicity to livestock. Disticha means arranged in two rows.

William Herbert established the genus Boophone in 1821 in Appendix, page 18.

Carl Linnaeus the Younger first described it as Amaryllis disticha in 1782 in Supplementum Plantarum, page 195. William Herbert later placed it in Boophone as Boophone disticha in 1825 in Botanical Magazine, volume 52, plate 2578.