Family: Agavaceae
Common Name: Tuberose

These 13 herbaceous perennials are native to Mexico. They are known to have been cultivated in pre-Columbian times, but the species are not now known in the wild. The white to pink flowers are borne in racemes.

Species

P. tuberosa grows to more than 1 m (3 ft) high, with slender leaves often as long as 30 cm (12 in. The waxy, white flowers are highly scented, the oil being used in perfumery. Polianthes are often grown as cut flowers.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow in a warm greenhouse or conservatory, or outdoors for the summer. In the greenhouse, grow in pots of soil-based potting compost, planting the tubers in spring. Provide maximum light. In summer, be careful not to overwater but liquid feed every two weeks. When the foliage starts to die back, start to reduce watering and keep the compost dry over winter. In the garden plant in spring, in well-drained soil and in a sunny position. Except in frost-free climates, the tubers are lifted in autumn and stored over winter in slightly moist peat or sand, in a frost-free greenhouse. Propagate from offsets during the dormant period, or from ripe seed which has been germinated at 21°C (70°F). Offsets, which are used to replace old, deteriorating mother tubers, may take two years to reach flowering size.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 9.