Green ixia (turquoise ixia) Ixia viridiflora
Green ixia (turquoise ixia) (Ixia viridiflora) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Iridaceae family, native to Renosterveld of the Western Cape (Tulbagh and Piketberg), South Africa. It grows 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) tall and 8–15 cm (3–6 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 10 cm (4 in) apart.
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Green ixia (turquoise ixia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Iridaceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–15 cm (3–6 in) |
| Spacing | 10 cm (4 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 21–29 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Renosterveld of the Western Cape (Tulbagh and Piketberg), South Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Green ixia (turquoise ixia) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Green ixia (turquoise ixia)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Green ixia (turquoise ixia)
- How far apart should I plant Green ixia (turquoise ixia)?
- About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–15 cm (3–6 in).
- Does Green ixia (turquoise ixia) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Green ixia (turquoise ixia) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Green ixia (turquoise ixia)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Green ixia (turquoise ixia) flower?
- About 21–29 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.
- Is Green ixia (turquoise ixia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Green ixia (turquoise ixia)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Green ixia (turquoise ixia). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
Notes and assumptions
- A summer-dry plant: water it through its first summer, then rarely or never; it wants sun, lean soil and sharp drainage, and is killed by summer irrigation and heavy clay more often than by drought.
- Wiry stems of starry flowers in an extraordinary jade-turquoise with a black-purple eye, in spring. Endangered in the wild as its renosterveld habitat has been ploughed for wheat; grown from nursery corms in pots or a dry, sunny bed.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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