Propagation
Sow fresh seeds during spring in pots or boxes. Transplant seedlings into a prepared bed with added organic matter, space 200 mm (8in) apart.

Division of offsets during autumn and plant the bulbs up to 60mm (2in) deep.


Botanic information
Leaf: The large fleshy linear leaves are up to 25mm (1 in) wide with longitudinal veins and a long acuminate apex. The grey green upper surface is glabrous and the underside is covered in fine white hairs.

Flower: The stellate flowers have 6-linear pointed petals that are purplish with a metallic sheen and the exerted stamens turn black as the fruit develops.

The pedestal is long and there up to 50-flowers are arranged in a terminal umbel that is up to 380mm (15 in) wide and is held above the foliage on a scape up to 800mm (44 in) long. The flowers normally appear during early summer as the foliage withers.

Fruit: The small loculicidal capsule contains tiny black seeds that are very viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.