Leopard, Violet or Silver Squill

These are interesting bulbous plants with spotted leaves that thrive in droughty conditions, even if that’s not what you intended.

ledebouria900x1500

For novice growers and those with a yearning to have odd an unusual plants around them, this one is perfect.

Well behaved, these small plants can stay in the same pot for years. I grow mine in a terracotta clay pot, and I think they would be fine in any unglazed type of pot.

They actually resent having too much room, and like their odd white to purple bulbs to be crowded together. This seems to promote blooming too, which is always an great event, in any plant.

The leaves are strappy, and covered in an interestingly random pattern of spots in green on a background of a silver metallic color. Some strains have dark red lower surfaces on the leaves, and are generally recognized as a slightly different sub species.

Ledebouria-socialis400

The best growing conditions for these plants are in bright but filtered light, and although they can take considerable dry periods, they do well with the occasional deep watering, especially in the heat of summer. Avoid watering at all in the winter, and let them dry out and have a dormant period.

They don’t seem to have any soil preferences, but I would say keep it well drained – most bulbous plants resent having wet feet, and it can start a bad situation of rotting, especially in plants like these with tightly packed bulbs.

Another thing to keep in mind with this plant is that it’s extremely toxic to pets, and being somewhat grass like, cats will eat it; the toxins in it will cause renal failure, and have resulted in cats meeting a bad end, so please use caution when displaying it.

Ledebouria-socialis-flower400

In the fullness of time, and with the right conditions (bright light, but not full sun, the occasional drying out period) these plants may bloom. Although not spectacular, the flowers are interesting, especially in macro view.

More pictures of this great little plant here…

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page…

thumb_frog-skin-look-alike-succulentbut-no-idea-what-it-is-21804575

Frog skin look alike succulent..but no idea what it is… 
Mom gave it to me but no tag. Grows and flowers well in part shade, indoors and high moisture soil. But in full sun, the leaves become shorter and darker, …

thumb_long-slender-tender-leaves-mottled-on-top-reddish-underneath-21713202

long slender tender leaves, mottled on top, reddish underneath 
This plant has long slender tender leaves, whitish mottling on top, reddish underneath. It has a bulb at base and is very prolific. Hi Sandy, this …

thumb_dark-green-spots-on-leaves-bulbous-lower-stem-near-the-roots-21692333.

Dark green spots on leaves. Bulbous lower stem, near the roots. 
It is a small plant. White layer on surface of leaves gives an impression of green spots. Dark green and a mixture of purple on lower leaves. Bulbous lower …


thumb_tuberous-with-2-camouflaged-leaves-21656381

Tuberous with 2 camouflaged leaves 
Tubers above ground. Each appears to have two leaves coming from the tuber. grey green and dark green dappled camouflage leaves. Leaves purplish red …

thumb_fleshy-swollen-base-given-as-a-gift-please-help-21631226

Fleshy swollen base Given as a gift – please help! 
Lightly spotted leaves, light green in colour. Leaves swelling to form a bulbous base at the bottom of the plant. Many new offshoots growing. Had a 13cm …

thumb_is-this-a-sansevieria-21555600.

Is this a Sansevieria? 
The person I bought is from said it is a member of the Lily family, but I took pictures of it to Kew Gardens and they suggested it could be a Sansevieria. …

thumb_what-am-i-21485111

What Am I? 
I just purchased this succulent from a plant show. There was no information there about it. As you can see from the picture, there are multiple plants …