Albuca 'Frizzle Sizzle'

Weird and wonderful, spiralling foliage. Each plant produces a different foliage curl and each is amazing. The spectacular leaves are adorned with pendant, Galanthus (Snowdrop) like flowers from late autumn and into winter. The blooms open on stout stems and are tones of green and yellow with a soft, sweet, vanilla fragrance and up to 20 will open on a stem and they can last up to three months.

In some climates they are dormant throughout summer and quickly regrow in autumn, during their dormancy you can leave their pot with some pretty pebbles or hide them away.

Grow Corkscrew Albuca ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ just like you would any other succulent, and they will be a great and fanciful houseplants for a bright spot.

Hailing from South Africa, this amazing plant is actually a bulb. Left in the soil they will gradually multiply to form a clump. Unlike most Albuca, that have a lot of variation of the spiral leaf formation, ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ is more consistent and reliable. The tightest spirals form with plenty of light. It was discovered in the Netherlands in 2012 and has twice the chromosome count of most plants.

Why do the leaves of Albuca spiral? Well, it is a clever trick of nature to help the plant survive the hot and dry conditions it is endemic to. The changing and narrow surface transpires less.

SIZE (HxW): 10-20cm x 5-15cm
I SEE THE LIGHT: Bright, indirect light is ideal. You should be able to read during the day in their position in the room without turning on a light. You can absolutely grow them outdoors, they thrive with good sun, where you will get the tightest spirals.

I NEED A DRINK: Low, water well, then allow the soil to almost dry out before watering again. You are more likely to kill them with kindness, so keeping them on the drier side is more ideal. The bulbs tend to rot if left to sit in water, especially over summer dormancy when you can just ‘forget about them’ and let them rest until it starts to cool in autumn.

I WILL SURVIVE: Corkscrew Albuca grows and flowers during winter and is mostly dormant from late summer. So in winter, place in a dry spot with lots of light. The foliage may hang on through summer, but might look a bit dishevelled. If you are growing it as a house plant, ideally pop it outside in winter every so often so it can get the cool temperatures required to induce flowering. Don’t forget, in some climates they are dormant over summer, you haven’t killed it - it will be back (in autumn)! Also sometimes the leaf tips turn brown when they flower, this is normal.

In pots ensure you choose a cactus/succulent potting mix for best results as it offers the sharp drainage they need. Choose a pot with drainage holes to ensure they don’t end up sitting in water. Use a diluted, liquid fertiliser in winter/spring to keep them happy and healthy. They aren’t heavy feeders so will forgive you if you forget.

Supplied as: Pots
Size: 7.5 cm