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Plant care

Angel's Fishing Rod (Wand flower) care

Dierama pulcherrimum

Also called Angel's fishing rod, Wand flower, Hairbell, African harebell.

RHS H4USDA 7-10Mildly toxic to petsIndoor Up to 150 cm tall in flower

Watering rhythm

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Regular during spring and summer; reduced in winter

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Rich, moist, well-drained

Humidity

Moderate

Temp

-10 to 30°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

Up to 150 cm tall in flower

Care at a glance

Light

Angel's Fishing Rod needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Full sun is essential; even a little shade reduces flowering significantly. Plant in an open, south- or west-facing position where it receives direct sun for at least six hours daily. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water angel's fishing rod regular during spring and summer; reduced in winter. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Keep soil evenly moist during the growing season, watering when the top 2–3 cm becomes dry; reduce watering substantially in autumn and winter but do not allow corms to completely desiccate.

Soil and pot

Angel's Fishing Rod grows best in rich, moist, well-drained. Thrives in humus-rich, fertile loam that holds moisture without waterlogging; on heavy clay soils, improve drainage with horticultural grit and raised planting. Add generous organic matter at planting time. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Angel's Fishing Rod sits happiest at around Moderate humidity and -10 to 30°C (14 to 86°F). Tolerates normal outdoor humidity levels in temperate gardens; adequate soil moisture is more critical than atmospheric humidity, and waterlogged roots are fatal. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed angel's fishing rod sparingly. Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in early spring as new growth begins; a second application of a high-potassium feed in early summer supports flower production. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on angel's fishing rod in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Transplant shock / failure to flower — Dierama strongly resents root disturbance; newly moved plants may sulk for one to three seasons before flowering resumes. Plant in a permanent position and leave undivided unless severely congested.
  • Thrips on flowers — Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) can cause silvery streaking and distortion on flowers and foliage. Control with insecticidal soap or an approved neonicotinoid-free spray; encourage predatory insects by companion planting.

Propagation

Divide congested clumps in early spring just as growth resumes, ensuring each division retains several corms and a clump of roots; water in well and expect a reduced flowering display for the first season. Also propagates from fresh seed sown in autumn, though seed-grown plants take three to five years to flower. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Angel's Fishing Rod is mildly toxic to pets. Dierama pulcherrimum is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database and no confirmed toxic principle has been identified in the genus. However, as a member of the Iridaceae family (related to Iris, which is toxic), and in the absence of confirmed ASPCA clearance, a mildly-toxic precaution is appropriate. Consult a veterinarian if a pet ingests any part of the plant. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Angel's Fishing Rod care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Dierama pulcherrimum?

Dierama pulcherrimum is most commonly called Angel's Fishing Rod, but it is also known as Angel's fishing rod, Wand flower, Hairbell, African harebell. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Angel's Fishing Rod apply identically to anything sold as Wand flower.

How much light does angel's fishing rod need?

Angel's Fishing Rod grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun is essential; even a little shade reduces flowering significantly. Plant in an open, south- or west-facing position where it receives direct sun for at least six hours daily.

How often should I water angel's fishing rod?

Water angel's fishing rod regular during spring and summer; reduced in winter. Keep soil evenly moist during the growing season, watering when the top 2–3 cm becomes dry; reduce watering substantially in autumn and winter but do not allow corms to completely desiccate. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is angel's fishing rod toxic to cats and dogs?

Angel's Fishing Rod is mildly toxic to pets. Dierama pulcherrimum is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database and no confirmed toxic principle has been identified in the genus. However, as a member of the Iridaceae family (related to Iris, which is toxic), and in the absence of confirmed ASPCA clearance, a mildly-toxic precaution is appropriate. Consult a veterinarian if a pet ingests any part of the plant.

What USDA hardiness zone does angel's fishing rod grow in?

Angel's Fishing Rod is rated for USDA zone 7-10 and RHS hardiness H4. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Angel's Fishing Rod deep-dive guides

Every aspect of angel's fishing rod care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Angel's Fishing Rod qualifies for 3 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Angel's Fishing Rod is also known as Angel's fishing rod, Wand flower, Hairbell, and African harebell.