Silver Squill Plant Care – Outside All Summer – Make It A Houseplant?
Earlier in spring this year, I found a plant at Grandma’s Gardens and it seemed right up my alley. It looked succulent and was labeled “squill.” I knew I had heard of that before, so into the cart it went!
Planted in a tiny 2-inch pot, I knew I could put it in any hypertufa pot and I would like it. I admit that when I looked it up, I just scanned and read about Squill. My plant was “spikey” so I just put it in a hypertufa planter, my Bunny planter, and put it out on a table in the sunny yard.
After all the spring planting ( and many trips to the garden centers), I finally settled down and read all the tags and labels that usually come on plants when you buy them. Much to my surprise, I located a label that gave me the true identity of my plant.
Ledebouria socialis – Silver Squill – Wood Hyacinth – Leopard Lily
This bulb plant is geophytic which means that it dies back and goes underground in the “worst” times of the year which could be cold or heat.
What I found surprising was that this plant is most often grown as a houseplant! Oh my! I have grown it outside now for about four months so I have to decide whether or not to bring it inside.
I am not usually in favor of bringing outdoor plants inside because I feel that they, most times, get infected with some kind of critter or another and then bring the little hitchhikers to all of their friends inside.
But look how pretty it is! ( I know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.)
Silver Squill Plant Care
One of the reasons that I like the Silver Squill is its low-maintenance nature. It requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. The plant thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions.
Its bulbs store water, allowing it to survive periods of drought, which means it only needs to be watered sparingly—usually when the soil has completely dried out. When mine is outside, it usually survives on rain except for an occasional watering. And it is planted in hypertufa that allows it to breathe.
DO NOT OVERWATER!
Overwatering is dangerous to the Silver Squill. It can cause the bulbs to rot. To avoid this, it’s important to plant it in well-draining soil and use a pot with drainage holes. My hypertufa pots do have a drainage hole so that should help along with the air exchange through the walls of the container.
Ledebouria socialis tends to grow vigorously but in a sideways manner as the bulb keeps splitting. I have a few options in larger bowls made from hypertufa, but I may wait and do a replant to a new container next Spring…if she survives inside.
Toxic to Dogs and Cats – Use Caution When Placing This Plant Where Animals/Kids Can Reach
I will put mine indoors after about the end of September here in Ohio. After a thorough cleaning with Insecticidal Soap and a refresh to the soil adding my Bonide Systemic Insecticide, I will keep my fingers crossed, placing it under a bright grow light.
Wish me luck!