Getting it to bloom
Why won't my African Cornflag bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called African cornflag, Small cobra lily, Pennant flower (Chasmanthe aethiopica).
More about african cornflag
About African Cornflag
Chasmanthe aethiopica · also called African cornflag, Small cobra lily · flowering
African cornflag is a vigorous, winter-growing cormous perennial from the fynbos and coastal scrub of South Africa, producing tall, sword-like leaves and arching spikes of vivid orange-red tubular flowers in late winter to early spring. In mild, frost-free climates it grows outdoors year-round; elsewhere the corms must be lifted and stored dry over winter. The single most critical care requirement is strict summer dormancy — corms left in wet soil during their dry-season rest will rot. Chasmanthe aethiopica is not listed as toxic by the ASPCA but, as a precaution with corms of uncertain status, treat as mildly toxic to pets.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Aphids on flower spikes: Aphid colonies congregate on emerging flower stems in late winter, weakening growth and disfiguring blooms. Inspect from midwinter onwards and treat with insecticidal soap spray or neem oil at the first sign of infestation.
The reasons african cornflag isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming african cornflag traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding african cornflag a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get african cornflag to flower
- Maximise sun. Give african cornflag the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for african cornflag and get the feeding right with the african cornflag fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
African Cornflag flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full african cornflag care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
African Cornflag blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my african cornflag flower?
African Cornflag blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make african cornflag bloom?
Give african cornflag the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does african cornflag normally bloom?
African Cornflag flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with african cornflag after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping african cornflag flowering?
Feeding african cornflag a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- African Cornflag care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- African Cornflag light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- African Cornflag fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 4114 bloom guides in the Growli library