Oh the Thrill of Leopard Scilla

Many gardens have standard scilla and squill grown from bulbs or seeds in them.  These are often the first bubs to bloom in Spring with tiny white, blue, or purple flowers on a long stem above bright green leaves.  The most common garden versions are Persian or Siberian.

However, a tropical version from Africa is great as an interesting houseplant.  The African Leopard Scilla (aka Leopard Lily or Silver Leopard Squill) has spots on the top of its leaves and depending on the time of year purple on the bottom of the leaves.  If it likes where it is placed, it will spread to fill a pot and also bloom white flower similar to some of the garden varieties. In areas where it can get cold, it should be grown as a houseplant in shallow pots or hanging baskets so it can be brought indoors in winter.  It can be in pots outdoors during warmer weather as long as it gets indirect or filtered sun via a covered patio, pergola, or porch.  Allow the bulbs to fill the plants pot to have a better looking plant, but when it looks like the bulbs are trying to come up out of the pot, divide the bulbs to make more plants or move it to a pot that is bigger around but not much taller - it has a short root system so it loves shallow pots similar to those that succulents are grown in.

If you have more bulbs than you you want to re-pot, spread the thrill of this plant by giving bulbs or starter plants away to family and friends.  Or if you live in an area where the temperatures do not fall below 35 degrees, consider putting a few bulbs in the border of your garden to see how it might look.  Yes, the Leopard Scilla may also be grown in the ground in areas where the climate is mostly warm.  

Since the Leopard Scilla plant grows from bulbs, it should not be over-watered or they will rot. Let the plant tell you what your watering schedule should be for the area you have it in.  Perky upright leaves mean it is happy with your watering routine.  If the leaves are droopy or hanging down over the sides of the pot, you need to water more often.

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