Albuca polyphylla 'Augrabies Hills' (4 inch) #585

About Albuca polyphylla 'Augrabies Hills'

Albuca polyphylla 'Augrabies Hills', is a dwarf bulbous plant prized for its airy, grass-like foliage and highly fragrant flowers. Native to the rocky terrain near Augrabies Falls in South Africa, it grows from a small, onion-like bulb that sits partially above the soil and gradually offsets to form dense, attractive clusters. Its narrow, upright leaves emerge in a fine, fleshy tuft, giving the plant an almost grassy texture that contrasts beautifully with broad-leaved succulents. In the cooler months, it produces nodding, bell-shaped flowers that are white or pale green with a green stripe and carry a distinct vanilla or almond scent. A true dwarf that rarely exceeds 6–8 inches in height, 'Augrabies Hills' is an excellent choice for windowsills, small containers, and collectors who appreciate unusual bulbous plants with seasonal interest.

How to care for Albuca polyphylla 'Augrabies Hills'

Sun/Location: Provide bright light, with at least 6 hours of direct sun for the strongest growth and best flowering. It adapts to bright indirect light, but insufficient light causes the leaves to become leggy and flop over. In intense summer heat, give light shade to protect the foliage. Indoors, a south- or east-facing window works well. Good airflow is helpful, and the plant tolerates the dry air from heaters and air conditioning.

Soil/Pot: Use a very gritty, fast-draining cactus or succulent mix with added perlite or pumice. Standard potting soil retains too much moisture and can cause the bulb to rot. Choose a pot with drainage holes, and avoid leaving the pot in standing water. The bulb can be planted with its upper portion near or slightly above the soil surface for natural presentation.

Watering: 'Augrabies Hills' is a winter grower, pushing new growth and blooming in the cooler months and going partially or fully dormant in summer. During active leafy growth, water when the mix has dried, generally every 7–10 days, then let excess water drain away. When summer heat brings leaf loss and rest, cut back watering strongly or stop almost entirely to prevent bulb rot. The plant may remain leafy under suitable year-round conditions, so observe the plant rather than following a rigid schedule. Always check soil moisture before watering again.

Propagating: Propagate by separating offsets (daughter bulbs) from the mother cluster when repotting. Gently detach bulbs that have their own roots and plant them in a fresh, gritty mix. Keep newly separated bulbs in bright light and water sparingly until they establish. Seed propagation is also possible, though slower. With time, the offsets will build into fuller clusters, similar to the parent plant.

More Information

Primary color: Green
Secondary color: Pale green; white and green striped flowers
Bloom color: White or pale green with a green stripe; fragrant (vanilla/almond)
Cold hardiness: USDA Zones 9–11 outdoors; protect from frost and freezing. Best kept above 50°F indoors; established plants may tolerate brief dips toward 30°F, but protection is recommended
Product format: 4" pot
Suitability: Windowsill, small containers, indoor plant collection, collector's display, decorative arrangements
Propagation: Bulb offsets and seed
Growth rate: Slow to moderate; one main growth cycle per year
Special characteristics: Grass-like fine foliage, clustering bulb habit, fragrant winter blooms, summer dormancy, dwarf size, tolerance of dry indoor air

We pack all shipments by hand. 

We have many years of experience shipping live succulents and cactus plants. We pay close attention to packing and have developed an expert shipping method. All succulents are packed and protected with polypropylene cotton (this is a stuffing used for dolls). We find this is the most effective material for protecting live plants while in transit. It is important to us that you are able to Keep going and Keep growing without any stress about the quality of the product or packaging.

Shipping Speed

In general, it takes 3 to 10 days for plants to arrive after you place your order. All orders will be shipped out 48 hours after you place them. We ship the orders on work days(from Monday to Saturday) and all year round. In normal conditions, it will take 3-10 days for you to receive the package. Estimated shipping times are offered as needed.

HOLIDAYS: During weeks in which a holiday occurs - Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, etc. - shipping may be delayed until the following week.

EXTREME WEATHER NOTICE: The Next Gardener reserves the right to hold shipments during storms or periods of extreme heat or cold. This is to ensure your plant does not suffer while it is in transit.

Winter shipping

We insist on shipping succulents to our customers all year round. However due to the extreme winter weather, although we pack succulents with as much protective material as possible, plants are still at increased risk of frost on their way to colder areas. We highly recommend adding one 72-hour heat pack to your order or you can request a hold on the package until it warms up.

Please note that The Next Gardener is not responsible for packages that suffer cold damage without a heat pack. We cannot control the weather. Order at your own risk.

Hawaii, Alaska, and Other US Territories

Fortunately, shipping is available to Alaska, Guam, and other U.S. Territories. However, due to numerous factors beyond our control, including customs checks and shipping delays, free shipping to Hawaii and Puerto Rico is not an option. And we can not provide the 14-day quality guarantee for orders going to Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The buyer will assume all risk of damage when a delivery is delayed. We appreciate your understanding.

Sorry. No International Shipping for now!!!