Sea-daffodil
Pancratium maritimum · Amaryllidaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant sea-daffodil: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Blooming
- June to September, fragrant white flowers
- Adult size
- 40 to 60 cm in height
- Foliage
- Deciduous, linear gray-green
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender, Mediterranean or sheltered climate
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Origin
- Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts
- Soil type
- Sandy, well-drained, poor to moderate
Care
Light exposure
Install your sea lily in full sun, with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. This coastal plant appreciates sunny, well-ventilated locations. Avoid dense shade which slows flowering.
Watering
Water moderately during the growing period (spring-summer), then reduce drastically in winter. The bulb must dry out between waterings. In Mediterranean regions, natural rainfall often suffices. Avoid stagnant moisture which promotes rot.
Soil and planting
Prepare very well-draining, sandy or gravelly soil, even poor in nutrients. Plant the bulb in autumn at 5-10 cm depth. In heavy soil, create a coarse sand bed to improve drainage.
Fertilizing
A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is more than sufficient. This plant from poor environments doesn't require intensive feeding. Excess nitrogen weakens disease resistance.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply let the foliage die back naturally after flowering to rebuild the bulb. Remove spent flowers to encourage natural seed production.
Diseases and pests
Sea lily is robust in dry climates. Excessive winter moisture can cause bulb rot. In cultivation, watch for scale insects and slugs. Ensure perfect drainage and optimal air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
Did you know?
Pancratium maritimum was once massively harvested along Mediterranean coasts for pharmaceutical product manufacturing. Now protected in France, it remains a symbol of threatened coastal flora. Its white star-shaped flowers, intensely fragrant at night, attract sphinx moths and nocturnal pollinators adapted to salty, windy environments.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- RamsonsAllium ursinum
- ChivesAllium schoenoprasum
- Sand leekAllium scorodoprasum
- Elephant garlicAllium ampeloprasum
- OnionAllium cepa
- Belladonna lilyAmaryllis belladonna
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.