Repotting guide

When & how to repot Glory of the Sun (Leucocoryne ixioides)

Also called Glory of the Sun, Chilean Garlic.

More about glory of the sun

About Glory of the Sun

Leucocoryne ixioides · also called Glory of the Sun, Chilean Garlic · flowering

Leucocoryne ixioides is a delicate, bulbous perennial from the coastal ranges of central Chile, producing fragrant, star-shaped flowers in shades of lavender, blue, or white with a white centre on slender stems in spring. It belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae (formerly Alliaceae) and carries a faint garlic scent in the leaves when crushed. In the UK it is best grown in a cool greenhouse or lifted annually as it needs full sun, sharp drainage, and a bone-dry summer. Toxicity to pets is unconfirmed; treat with caution.

Mature size: 30–50 cm tall (12–20 in), spread 8–12 cm (3–5 in) per clump

Watch for — Bulb rot in cool, damp conditions: The most frequent cause of failure, especially in the UK. Bulbs collapse from fungal or bacterial rot if exposed to any moisture during summer dormancy. Lift bulbs every year after foliage dies, dry thoroughly in a warm, airy spot for several weeks, then store in dry compost or paper bags until autumn. Growing permanently in pots makes lifting straightforward.

How to tell glory of the sun needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For glory of the sun, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot glory of the sun

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Glory of the Sun's growth habit — bulbous perennial with narrow, grass-like leaves that carry a faint garlic scent when bruised; slender, wiry stems bear terminal umbels of 4–8 star-shaped flowers; fully dormant from late spring to autumn — sets the pace. Leucocoryne ixioides is a delicate, bulbous perennial from the coastal ranges of central Chile, producing fragrant, star-shaped flowers in shades of lavender, blue, or white with a white centre on slender stems in spring. It belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae (formerly Alliaceae) and carries a faint garlic scent in the leaves when crushed. In the UK it is best grown in a cool greenhouse or lifted annually as it needs full sun, sharp drainage, and a bone-dry summer. Toxicity to pets is unconfirmed; treat with caution.

What size pot to step glory of the sun up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Glory of the Sun stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot glory of the sun

Spring or summer, while glory of the sun is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting glory of the sun

Repot dry. Do not water glory of the sun for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty sharply drained, sandy or gritty loam, low to moderate fertility ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set glory of the sun at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep glory of the sun completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for glory of the sun

Glory of the Sun wants sharply drained, sandy or gritty loam, low to moderate fertility. Best in free-draining, sandy to gritty soil with pH 6.0–7.0. Add copious coarse grit to standard potting mixes. Low to moderate fertility suits the lean soils of its Chilean coastal habitat; avoid rich, moisture-retentive composts. Raised beds or terracotta pots with gritty mix are ideal. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting glory of the sun — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot glory of the sun?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for glory of the sun. Repot glory of the sun every 2–3 years into a snug pot of sharply drained, sandy or gritty loam, low to moderate fertility, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does glory of the sun need?

When is the best time of year to repot glory of the sun?

Should you water glory of the sun after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot glory of the sun into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise glory of the sun after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting glory of the sun. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.