Native to South Africa, Tulbaghia violacea is a rustic plant with a bushy habit.

The plant belongs to the Alliaceae family and is very similar to chives and garlic. Its leaves are narrow and long, its flowers are purple and small in size. Both the stems and the leaves are also used in cooking and its particularly strong aroma can be used as a substitute for garlic.

It is an evergreen plant, although in winter the leaves tend to turn yellow and dry, so it is advisable to prune in late winter.

Cultivation

Violet tulbaghia is an easily cultivable plant, not very demanding and does not require particular maintenance. It can be grown in two ways, namely:

1- Cultivation in pots, therefore ideal for decorating balconies and terraces as well as any other areas of the house where you want to create a corner dedicated to plants.

2- Cultivation in pots, therefore ideal for decorating balconies and terraces as well as any other areas of the house where you want to create a corner dedicated to plants.

The Tulbaghia violacea does not adapt very well to low temperatures and is especially afraid of frost. In the case of cultivation in pots, it is best to repair it in periods when the cold is more severe and night frosts are frequent. In addition, the plant prefers sunny places, so it should be placed in a space where it can receive sunlight for several hours a day. It adapts well to any type of soil, but it is essential that it is well drained. If grown in the ground it is satisfied with rainwater, if instead it is grown in pots it must be watered every 15 days. Better not to abound with watering, too much water can compromise flowering. As mentioned, therefore, it does not require too much maintenance. The only trick is to use granular fertilizer once a year.

Diseases and parasites

Curiosity

Tulbaghia is a source of attraction for butterflies, and is optimal for creating a garden with a remarkable visual impact. Its flowers and leaves are also used in cooking, for example in the preparation of salads, they can replace garlic or chives. It performs a very useful function against mosquitoes, fleas and ticks and is ideal for the pollination of moths. One last curiosity, in some parts of the world tulbaghia is even used as an aphrodisiac.