Lachenalias are often regarded as one of the most rewarding groups of Cape winter-growing bulbs to cultivate. One of their virtues is their vast array of flower colours appearing in practically every colour of the rainbow.

Lachenalia pygmaea is very easy to grow and very rewarding as a pot subject. The soil medium should be fairly well-drained and consist of about half coarse washed sand and half finely sieved compost. This should be used to fill the lower two-thirds of the pot. The upper third should be pure sand, with no loam or compost, into which the bulbs are planted. This layer is thus well-drained and stays relatively dry, preventing the bulbs from rotting if they should get too wet, while the roots can safely penetrate the richer, moister organic medium below. They should be kept in full sun and will grow very happily outside during the winter months, providing the temperature does not drop below freezing. In summer the bulbs should be kept dry, preferably in a cool position out of direct sunlight. One can either lift the bulbs and store them in paper bags, or store them in their pots. They respond well to being repotted every 2–3 years with fresh soil medium, however, replenishment from seed is advisable as they are not particularly long lived.

They are easily propagated from leaf cuttings, which can be removed from the plant by slicing them at the base of the leaf blade. These leaves are then half buried in a very sandy/gritty medium and left in a cool place out of direct sunlight but with a fair degree of ambient humidity. The soil should be kept on the dry side to prevent the leaves from rotting, while the humidity can be quite high – humid air and dry soil are essential. A cold frame setup is ideal. Within a few months, small bulbils will appear along the cut edge at the base of the leaf. Eventually the leaf will wither, but the bulbils can be planted like normal bulbs the following season. Flowering will take 1–2 years.

They are also easily raised from seeds, which should be sown in autumn in a similar medium used for cultivation with a thin layer of soil (approximately 2–3 mm) placed over the seeds. Water them gently but regularly in the first few weeks. The seedlings should germinate within about 2–3 weeks. Flowering will take 2–3 years.

They don't have many pests apart from snails and caterpillars (which can be removed by hand) and mealy bug which should be treated with a systemic pesticide. A rust fungus can be problematic and appears as orange blotches on the leaves, often developing where a leaf has been damaged by hail, for example. This is easily prevented (which is preferable) or treated, both with common fungicides.

Not much fertilising is required for these bulbs as they are generally not very demanding, but they will respond well to small doses of a diluted, low-nitrogen liquid fertiliser.