To divide agapanthus in Australia, dig up the clump in autumn (after flowering), shake off soil, and separate it into smaller sections with roots using a spade or forks, ensuring each new plant has roots and a few growing points; let the cut surfaces dry (callus) overnight before replanting, keep them in a sheltered spot, and water sparingly for the first month.
Using a garden fork, seek to left the plant out of the ground. If it does not want to come out, dig the perimeter deeper. Once out, shake off the soil and seek to pull the plants apart. If the plants do not easily separate then a sterile knife can be used to cut through the roots and basal areas.
The best time to divide agapanthus is late March to April, before the flowering season. Lift the plant out of the ground and split the root clump with a sharp spade or two forks back-to-back, making sure each of the new clumps has at least two growing points.
The best season to cut agapanthus back hard is early spring or late winter. Leaves in winter can protect rhizomes from rotting in the sun or the cool rain while insulating the roots against cold temperatures.
The best time to repot Agapanthus is spring . You can do it later, but the later you do it, the less chance of flowers that year.
Lifespan of the Agapanthus
A perennial plant grows more than once during its lifetime and lasts longer than 2 years. These are plants that produce new stems, leaves, and flowers every year. Give your Agapanthus the best care, and you will enjoy it for years to come!
What Are the Cons of Growing Agapanthus Plants?
Agapanthus do well in both pots and the ground, with the best choice depending on your goals: pots offer control for limited space, frost protection (by moving indoors), and preventing spread, while the ground allows them to naturalize and form large clumps for a bigger impact, though they need more effort to manage if they become invasive. Pots are great for patios, balconies, and colder climates, while in-ground planting suits sunny garden beds.
The general rule of thumb is that you should deadhead flowers as soon as they're spent, and this is also the case with agapanthus. As agapanthus is one of the best bulbs to plant in February, most agapanthus plants will flower for around six weeks from mid-summer to early autumn.
Agapanthus plants thrive in well-drained soils, preferring full sun but also tolerating partial shade. Their resilience against drought, once established, further enhances their appeal.
Division: Every few years, dig up mature Agapanthus clumps and carefully divide them into smaller sections. Replant the divisions at the same depth as the original plant. Timing: The best time to divide Agapanthus is in early spring, just as new growth begins.
Bulb rot and root rot are both agapanthus problems that start underground. They show themselves above ground in yellow, wilted leaves and sometimes stunted plants. If you dig the plants up, you'll find the roots or bulb decayed and discolored. If one of your plants is infected with root or bulb rot, it can't be saved.
Do not plant agapanthus in shady spots or areas with poor drainage, as they need full sun and well-drained soil to flower well and avoid root rot; also avoid planting near bushland or sensitive ecosystems due to their invasive potential, opting for sterile varieties or containers if concerned about spread.
You can prune agapanthus at any time of year to remove dead, damaged or diseased foliage. For deciduous varieties, spent foliage can be removed in late fall, but this will leave the crown exposed to the winter elements. Never remove foliage after blooming as this deprives the plant of the energy it needs to overwinter.
For Agapanthus grown in the garden, feed plants every six to 8 weeks from spring to autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers Plant Food Pellets. For potted Agapanthus, from spring to autumn, feed every one to two weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
How to Divide an Agapanthus
Salvia, mums, asters, sedum, and ornamental grasses are great for extending the blooming season of any border well into the fall and pair well with Agapanthus.
Though they are drought tolerant, they still benefit from lots of water during the growing season if they're to thrive. Water once or twice per week, particularly in dry periods. Pot agapanthus on every two to three years to avoid congestion, and divide every five to six years.
It's generally not illegal to plant Agapanthus in most places, but it's highly discouraged in many regions (especially Australia, parts of the UK/Europe, and California) because it's considered an aggressive, invasive weed that spreads into natural areas, impacting native plants. Laws vary by location, but you'll often find local council bans or strong recommendations not to plant common varieties, encouraging sterile cultivars instead to prevent seed spread into bushland and waterways.
If the tips of the leaves turn brown, you can tidy these up by cutting the ends off – preferably in a 'V' shape so they still look natural. By the Autumn, everything should have turned brown, you can then remove all the foliage that has died and cover your Agapanthus with some mulch for protection against frosts.
Agapanthus Plant Care
Water well during establishment. They are a drought tolerant plant so only water to supplement rainfall if required. Fertilising is not usually required, but you can use a complete fertiliser in Winter or Spring.
Agapanthus is a native of South Africa (WBMB undated).