I only cultivate 4 species of Androcymbium in my greenhouse, but I know a plant friend from Dresden who grows some more species of Androcymbium in his greenhouse.

The genus Androcymbium is related with Colchicum and Merendera and contains approximately 40 species. Some of them occur in the mediterranean areas of Europa and North Africa, the others are native in South Africa.

All species are small, only a few centimeters in height with the 2 or more leaves in a ground rosette. They are winter growers with a long dry dormant season in the summer. Flower colour is green, white or white with purple spots, seldom pinkish. The soil must be very sandy, welldrained, low humus and lime free.

Androcymbium rechingeri, europaeum, gramineum, capense, ciliolatum and some others are long living plants and best suited for pot culture in a cool greenhouse (with winter temperatures 1-7°C and full light intensity) , in winter mild climates also for the bulb frame or alpine house.

Siegfried Casper (27 Dec 2002)