Green freesia (Freesia viridis ssp. viridis)

Product description

This small bulbous plant reaches a maximum height of around 30 cm and has long, slender leaves. Although cultivated freesias have large, showy flowers commonly used in bouquets, this wild species produces small green, orchid-like flowers. These flowers are nonetheless beautiful and appear in winter to early spring (May to August in the Southern Hemisphere), just after the rainy season. They are typically fragrant at night, when they are pollinated by moths. After flowering, seeds are readily produced in relatively large green fruits.

The green freesia originates from the seasonally dry regions of South Africa and Namibia, where it grows in grasslands and rocky soils. All 16 species of the genus Freesia are native to the cape region in South-eastern Africa.

In temperate regions, the plant is best kept in a container. The minimum temperature is around 5°C, so it should be taken indoors during winter. This indoor winter period can be used to mimic the natural dormant phase that occurs during the dry summer. Watering should be kept to a minimum until the leaves reappear in spring.

Sowing description: Sow the seeds in sowing mix and cover with a thin layer of soil or grit. Keep at around 20 °C in a well-lit spot. Ensure the soil remains slightly moist.