This clumping perennial has a flax-like habit with upright foliage. It has bright green sword-shaped leaves and the pale pink flowers appear during summer in plume-like raceme that is held above the foliage.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Helmholtzia glaberrima is naturally found in Australia from Queensland to northern New South Wales growing in damp shady rainforest settings along streams.

It prefers a humus rich moist soil in a shade to semi-shade protected position and is frost and drought tender.

Stream Lily is a shade loving perennial that is grown for its clumping habit and is planted in tropical gardens along borders or in the understorey of trees. It is also planted in pots and tubs for courtyard settings or indoor use. It has a moderate growth rate establishing in 2 to 3 years and if grown in full sun the plant becomes stunted. ID 1122

Helmholtzia(helm-HOLTZ-ee-uh) glaberrima(gla-ber-REE-muh)

Philydraceae(FIL-ee-DRAY-see-ee)