Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called drooping agapanthus, nodding-flower agapanthus (Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus).
More about agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus
About Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus
Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus · also called drooping agapanthus, nodding-flower agapanthus · flowering
Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus is a tall, deciduous species distinguished by pendent, tubular deep-blue flowers that hang rather than open flat, carried on upright stems well above the foliage in late summer. Its narrow, drooping flower heads give an elegant, architectural look. It is reasonably hardy, wanting full sun and free-draining soil to thrive.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Poor flowering after division: Recently split clumps sulk for a year or more. Leave roots undisturbed and slightly congested to encourage free flowering.
The reasons agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus to flower
- Maximise sun. Give agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus and get the feeding right with the agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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
Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus flower?
Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus bloom?
Give agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus normally bloom?
Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus flowering?
Feeding agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Agapanthus inapertus subsp. pendulus 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 2023 bloom guides in the Growli library