Ornatec InternationalSpecies reference sheet ยท ornatecinternational.com
Cyrtanthus mackenii
Ifafa Lily
Cyrtanthus mackenii is a small clumping bulb from the stream banks of KwaZulu-Natal, grown for the umbels of narrow tubular flowers it carries on slender stems above strap-shaped leaves. Cream and white are the usual colours, with yellow and pink forms in cultivation, and most are pleasantly scented.
It builds into a dense colony over a few seasons, which makes it useful as a low mass at the front of a shaded bed or as a long-lived container subject.
Specifications
- Height0.3 to 0.4 metres
- Width0.2 to 0.3 metres, spreading into colonies
- Native toKwaZulu-Natal in South Africa
- FoliageNarrow, strap-shaped, semi-glossy leaves in dense clumps; evergreen to semi-evergreen
- Growth rateModerate
Conditions
- SoilPrefers moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil
- LightPartial shade to filtered sun
- WaterModerate; keep moist in growth and drier during dormancy
- ClimateThrives in subtropical and warm temperate frost-free regions
Additional Features
- FlowersUmbels of narrow tubular cream, yellow or pink flowers, lightly fragrant, mostly in spring and autumn
- UsesLow mass at the front of shaded beds, path edging, containers and interior display
- SpacingPlant 6 to 8 bulbs per square metre for a closed clump
- Low MaintenanceLift and divide congested colonies every few years; otherwise leave undisturbed
- Pest ResistanceGenerally trouble-free; watch for narcissus fly in warm dry conditions
- Seasonal AppealTwo flowering flushes a year with evergreen foliage between them
The Ifafa Lily is a quiet, long-lived bulb for shaded ground, giving scent and colour twice a year without asking for much.
Availability by project review. Sizes, quantities, origin and export readiness are confirmed after your plant schedule is reviewed against destination, timing and quarantine requirements. MEWA certified for supply into Saudi Arabia; Australian Export Registered Establishment.
Enquiries: sales@ornatecinternational.com
310 Donkin Rd, Utchee Creek QLD 4871, Australia
Prepared 08 September 2026