Propagation
Sow fresh seed in pots and in cold climates place in a cold frame to germinate. Germination may take up to 12 months.

Division of the clump during spring and reduce the foliage.


Botanic information
Leaf: The leathery textured linear leaves are up to 100mm (4in) wide and have a tightly folded keeled and broad sheath at the base. The upper surface is green and the underside is silvery. It has a long acuminate apex and both surfaces are covered in fused scales with a thin clear skin-like covering (pellicle) that peels away in strips on old leaves.

Flower: The small pedicellate tubulate male flowers with a short tube and tepals that soon reflexed and the female flowers are smaller and erect and found on a different plant (dioecious). They are arranged in an erect at first then drooping panicle to 500mm (20in) tall that is held above the foliage on a scape during spring.

Fruit: The rounded fleshy berry has 1-3 cells and is green turning whitish flushed with magenta when mature. They contain small black seeds and only appear on female plants. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.