How to grow Ixia in pots?

Which varieties of Ixia to choose?

Ixias are small bulbous plants, measuring between 30 cm and 1 metre in height, with a spread of about fifteen centimetres. All varieties can therefore be grown in pots.

Consider, for example:

• the Ixia ‘Giant’, with off-white flowers highlighted by a purple centre (50 cm in height);
• the variety ‘Mabel’, featuring vibrant star-shaped pink-purple flowers (80 cm in height);
• ‘Spotlight’, a lovely bicolour with cream flowers veined in red (50 cm in height);
• the cultivar ‘Venus’, offering a striking magenta pink (40 cm in height).

Ixia ‘Venus’ and Ixia ‘Spotlight’

When to plant Ixia in pots?

The corms of Ixia (storage organs that are slightly flatter than bulbs) should ideally be planted in spring, from March to April.

Pot planting in autumn is also possible, as long as the plant is protected from frost during winter.

Potting Ixia

The Container

The size of the container depends on the number of Ixias you wish to grow. The larger the span or diameter, the more corms you can cultivate. A spacing of about 8 cm is necessary between each to ensure their proper development.

Choose a pot, a planter, or a trough. Containers do not need to be too deep: about twenty centimetres is generally sufficient.

Opt for terracotta containers. Their porous material ensures better aeration of the substrate.

Finally, choose a perforated container, which will allow water to drain without stagnating.

The Substrate

Ixia prefers soils rich in organic matter, but light and well-drained, not retaining water. Excessive moisture is indeed fatal for these bulbous plants.

For pot planting, make a mixture of:

• 2/3 of good quality horticultural compost or garden soil;
• 1/3 of river sand, garden sand or gravel;
• a handful of well-decomposed household compost.

Planting

We recommend planting several Ixias together for a more beautiful display.

1. Place a drainage layer of about 2 cm at the bottom of your container (clay balls, gravel, or terracotta shards, for example).
2. Fill with the substrate mixture.
3. Prepare planting holes about ten centimetres deep. You can use a bulb planter for this.
4. Place the corms in the holes with the point facing upwards. Plant the other bulbs in a staggered pattern, maintaining a distance of about 8 cm.
5. Lightly cover with substrate, then firm with your hands.
6. Mulch to retain moisture longer and limit the growth of adventive herbs (“weeds”).

Choose healthy corms and place them in good quality substrate. Position the pots in a bright, cool location as soon as the shoots appear.

Exposure

Ixias love the sun, which they need to bloom well. Therefore, choose a well-exposed location.

Avoid overly windy spots, which could cause the stems of the taller varieties to bend. If you have no choice, consider installing stakes to help them maintain an upright habit.

Caring for Potted Ixia

Ixia is not a difficult plant to grow. Adequate watering, good fertilisation, and a frost-protected location are generally sufficient to achieve abundant flowering.

Watering

Water your Ixias in pots regularly during the growth period in spring. When the first warm weather arrives, increase the watering frequency as soon as the substrate dries out on the top few centimetres. Watering should be regular to support flowering.

Once flowering is finished and when the foliage starts to wither, stop watering to ensure the corms remain dry during the dormancy period.

Fertilisation

Ixias appreciate rich soils that promote their flowering.

In pots, as the substrate tends to deplete its nutrient reserves more quickly than in open ground, regular fertilisation is all the more recommended.

Choose a fertiliser for flowering plants, a fertiliser for window boxes and pots, or a fertiliser rich in potassium. Conversely, avoid fertilisers high in nitrogen, which favour leaf development at the expense of flowers.

Apply during the growth period, from late spring to early summer. Always follow the usage conditions indicated by the manufacturers.

As the first warmth of summer arrives, water more abundantly to support the flowering of your Ixias in pots or window boxes

Pruning

To stimulate flowering and the production of new buds, remove faded flowers as they occur.

Leave the foliage in place until it yellows, wilts, and completely withers. You can then cut it back.

Division

If your Ixias start to feel cramped, produce fewer flowers, and appear less vigorous, you can proceed with dividing the corms in autumn.

To do this, simply dig up the corms, gently separate them, and place them in new containers.

Diseases

Ixias are not known to be particularly susceptible to pests and diseases.

The mosaic virus can, in rare cases, affect the foliage by depigmenting it. Unfortunately, there is no treatment: affected plants must be removed.

Wintering

Ixia is not a very hardy plant. It can withstand temperatures of -5°C to -10°C at most, depending on the varieties.

Therefore, only in Mediterranean regions with mild, dry winters can pots be left outside all year round. However, be sure to protect them with a thick layer of mulch.

In other regions, bring your pots indoors to a dry, frost-free room. As soon as the last frost risks have passed in spring, the pots can be gradually placed back outside.