Babiana are hardy plants and if neglected, they can still survive. This makes growing them easy. They originated in a temperate climate, which makes them resistant to heat and drought.

Corms are planted in autumn, from the middle of April to late May, with 8 cm soil over them, generally about 5 cm apart, in well-drained, sandy, composted potting soil. The corms can be left undisturbed in the soil for several years, or they can be lifted in early summer and stored in a cool, dry place until next autumn. Division is by offsets, which form on mature corms.

Babiana can also be multiplied by seeds sown in autumn; germination should take about 6 weeks. To obtain pure seeds from container-grown plants, containers should be isolated and flowers hand pollinated. Sow thinly into deep pots or raised beds; this is to prevent overcrowding and damping-off. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until germination. Seedlings should remain undisturbed for 2 years before being potted into permanent containers or planted in the garden. Flowering may commence during the second season but are usually expected during the third year.

Babiana thrive in temperate, winter-rainfall climates, actively growing during the wet season and dormant in the dry, summer months. They can tolerate cold conditions, but they need to be protected from heavy frost. They can also tolerate dry conditions. They need regular watering during their growing season, but they can tolerate some periods of drought. They may need additional watering close to flowering time, their regular rainfall in habitat is 2.5 cm a week in the growing season. They can tolerate dry soil more than being over-watered, which causes stress and leads to disease or rot.

They require full sun for flowering and can occur in a variety of soils, including those with a high sand content. However, they do better in rich, well-drained, sandy loam. Soil drainage can be improved by raising flower beds or adding compost.

As the growing season starts, bulbs can use all-purpose fertilizer. The bulblets (above the bulb) can be saved for faster multiplication and stored in a dry, well-ventilated location.

When in bloom, cut flowers for beautiful bouquets.

In the garden they can be grown in pots and containers, also borders and rockeries. They grow well between shrubs and amongst perennials at the path edge. They grow best in clumps, that should be dug up and replanted every couple of years.

For the most part, they are disease and pest resistant. The corms can be infested by mealy bugs and affected by fungal rotting when cultivated in insufficiently well-drained soil. Red spider mites can occur underneath the leaves during dry spells.

If they are grown in garden beds, the bed should be lined with wire mesh to deter mole rats from eating them.