Family: Asparagaceae
Scientific name: Massonia depressa
Common name: Hedgehog lily
Origin: South Africa

The hedgehog lily is a very peculiar plant that originally grows along the cape in South Africa. The plant only produces two leaves and has a spiky cluster of flowers in the center. The flowers spread a yeasty smell to attract gerbils or other rodents. The animals love the sweet nectar and pollinate the flowers when they visit them. The plant can very well be grown indoors, and remains quite small. A light stand and a sandy soil are recommended.

Sowing description: Sow the small seeds superficially in a mixture of sand and sowing mix (1:1), and cover the soil with plastic foil or glass. Keep the soil constantly moist and let the seeds germinate at 20 degrees Celsius during the day, and a night temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. The daily fluctuation stimulates germination, which normally occurs after a few weeks.

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 5 degrees Celsius