Bulbine athena ‘Compact Yellow’

Spikes of bright yellow flowers rise 1ft above fleshy, grasslike foliage to 1ft. Spreads into clumps to 3ft wide.
Bulbine athena 'Compact Yellow'
height 1–2in
width 1–3in
tolerates Coast, Cool Summers, Drought, Fog, Gophers, Heat, Pots, Salt, Wind
water
needs		 Low – Moderate
water
info		 Water this plant regularly, when the top inch or so of soil feels dry. If you establish this pattern over several years, then you can cut back to watering every week or two in dry weather. Use drippers, emitters, or a slow stream of water so that it doesn’t run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil. In a pot slowly water the entire surface until water comes out of the bottom of your pot.

With extended drought and heat bulbine with first turn bronze, then shrivel and eventually die off if not watered for an entire season.

Thrives under great neglect in foggy coastal areas.
hardy
to		 20F
exposure Part Sun – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing All Purpose, Low Needs
origin Hybrid, Africa
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 8, 9, 12–23

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

This plant grows very quickly with good drainage and ample summer water. Easily divided yearly and you’ll find there are masses of aerial roots already present above the ground.
Thrives along the coast, but needs ample summer water in inland dry areas.
After a decade or so this plant gets so dense that patches can start to die off. If this happens you can remove the bulbines, refresh the soil and replant the cuttings to repopulate the area.
When propagating bulbine plant each cutting two feet apart and let them grow together.
Spent flower spikes are eaily removed with a tug, or ca be pruned off.

Special Interest

Excelent choice for the fire retardant garden, as it quickly creates a dense succulent mass that can be expanded over time.