Jesse Saylor
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Botanical Name
Polianthes tuberosa
Plant Common Name
Tuberose
General Description
Intoxicatingly fragrant, night-blooming white flowers grace this tuberous perennial from late summer to autumn. The tuberose is fully deciduous and originates from Mexico. In its natural habitat it favors sites with friable, sandy soil with organic matter mixed in. It was one of the first New World plants brought back by the Spanish, so it has been cultivated for centuries in Europe and beyond. In fact, its long-lasting blooms are highly valued in India where they are used in religious ceremonies.
The tuberose has elongated underground tubers that spread slowly over time. Long, strap-like leaves of green or blue-green rise from the tubers to form an unimpressive clump of basal foliage. After a long, warm growing season it produces tall, spiky stems lined with plump, dusty lavender buds. These open to show white, starry, tubular flowers. The sweet fragrance of the blossoms rival that of the gardenia. Moths pollinate the flowers and green seed capsules that mature to brown follow. The foliage becomes fully dormant as winter's cold or seasonal drought sets in.
Grow tuberose in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. The rhizomes can survive in the ground as long as soil does not freeze. In cold zones they can be lifted and stored in a cool, dry place over winter. Tubers stored in sand tend to fare best. They require at least four months of a warm growing weather to produce flowers. One of the most common cultivars available is ‘The Pearl', which has semi-double blossoms.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
11 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Width
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
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Native To
Mexico
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Ivory
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Fruit Color
Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Sea Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Sea Green, Blue Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Blue Green, Yellow Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
