Gardening information sheet for plant.

1. *Desert lily – Hesperocallis undulata (hes-per-oh-KAL-is un-dew-LAY-tuh)
Family: Agavaceae (Agave Family)
Native to: Sonoran (Colorado) Desert and sometimes Mojave Desert of CA, AZ, Baja CA & Sonora,
Mexico; below 5000' on sandy flats, gentle slopes and mesas of creosote bush scrub and joshua tree
woodlands. Soils dry and sandy.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-2 ft.
Simple, herbaceous perennial from an onion-like bulb. Leaves are basal, strap-like with wavy edges.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms following the winter rains – Feb-May, depending on rains. Flowers on a tall
stalk that is usually 2-3 ft. but may be 5-6 ft. tall. Flowers look like Easter lilies: white, funnel-
shaped shaped and large (to 3 inches long). Flowers open late in the day and are very fragrant. This
is a very unusual, attractive bloomer.
Uses in the garden: As an accent plant in desert-themed gardens or in containers. This plant is
usually grown by gardeners who like to try unusual – and sometimes difficult – plants. Most often
used as an occasional scent plant – will only bloom in years when it likes the weather! Bulbs can be
eaten – raw or cooked (taste like garlic).
Sensible substitute for: Non-native bulbs.
Attracts: Native insect pollinators.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun.
Soil Very well-drained; sandy or rocky. pH 6.5 to 8.0.
Water Needs good winter/spring water; no summer water.
Fertilizer None needed in ground; 1 dose ½ strength in winter for container-grown.
Other Gravel mulch or none.
Management: Difficult plant to get to flower. Let dry down after flowering (or as leaves wither).
Propagation: from seed: fairly easy; don’t let seedlings dry out by divisions: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 38, 61 3/26/18
* California native, but not native to Western Los Angeles County © Project SOUND