Ledebouria socialis

Also Known As

Scilla socialis
Scilla violacea
Silver Squill
Violet Squill

Plant type

cactus / succulent, bulb / corm / tuber

size

H: 4"-8"
W: 6"-12"

planting zones

8b-11

More Options

Ledebouria socialis plant details

Ledebouria socialis is an evergreen bulb / corm / tuber or cactus / succulent with blue, green, purple and variegated foliage. In spring green and white flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ledebouria socialis

Plant type: bulb / corm / tuber or cactus / succulent
Plant family: asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue, green, purple and variegated
Mature size: 6 IN - 12 IN - wide, 4 IN - 8 IN - tall
Flowers: green and white blooms in spring
Uses: houseplant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ledebouria socialis

USDA Zones: 8b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Ledebouria socialis (syn. Scilla violacea) is a cute, colony-forming bulb popular with succulent collectors and makes a nice foliar contrast to succulent collections or a nice low-light tolerant houseplant. The tear drop-shaped bulbs sit mostly atop the soil surface and unfurl lance-shaped silver leaves with green spots and purple undersides. The spikes of small flowers sport colours of green, white, and purple.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

From S. Africa, this evergreen has unusual exposed bulbs – Leaves attractively splotched with silver overlay – 4" tall and slowly increasing in girth – spikes of tiny, nodding green bellflowers on pink stalks in May – sun, typical succulent culture.

By: Secret Garden Growers

Tender.Olive green leaves with silve bloches.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Also known as the Squill plant, this South African bulb is very easy to grow. The purple bulbs are topped by green leaves with purple spots. Each bulb produces a flower spike with white, bell shaped flowers in the spring. Can tolerate all kinds of conditions, from full sun and dry soil to shade and an influx of rain. Will clump to fill a pot.

By: Paradise Found Nursery

While we aren't succulent collectors, we do grow a small assortment of them and sometimes have some to share. This is a nice South African succulent bulb. It does well in the house over winter and grows great in partial shade during summer.

By: Botanophilia

Ledebouria socialis was once also known as Scillasocialis. It is a small bulb forming plant found growing in South Africa. The leaves are unique in that they are spotted or striped with dark green and gray to silver markings. The underside of the foliage is a dark maroon color. As the plant grows it will form small bulbous clusters of plants. Once mature the plant will send out a flower. The flowers are green and white and held out on a small stem from the plant. The leaves are very thick and succulent and it is often grown in containers or in rock gardens. I have had good luck growing it in a tropical house as well.

By: Brian's Botanicals

Also known as Scilla violacea or Silver Squill. Fleshy strap-like leaves dotted silver on rich purple swollen bulblets in clusters. Winter blooming with wands of spike like greenish white flowers resembling grape hyacinth. Likes shade to morning sun. Hardy zone 8b-10. A very easy houseplant.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Small, South African plant, to 6” x 8” with fancy, strappy leaves of silver-gray “leopard spotted” with green rising from red bulbs just above the soil. Greeny white flowers are a winter addition. Loves well-drained soil in sun or, in hottest climates, a bit of shade. Needs to dry out between waterings and tolerates some drought. Frost hardy in the ground into the upper teens °F, USDA zone 8b. Easily grown in pots or indoors on the windowsill.

By: Cistus Nursery

"Silver Quill" Easy to grow succulent bulb. Arrange plantings in a small bonzai pot for a nice effect. Syn.: Scilla socialis (several different varieties.)