Ledebouria socialis, which is natural to the Eastern Cape Province, is well known in cultivation around the world as a curious pot plant with its bulbs exposed above ground level and its silvery-spotted leaves that are often bright purple on the underside.

Members of this genus are seldom grown as garden plants, probably as their flowers are not very striking. However, some of the larger species such as L. zebrina and L. floribunda have attractive foliage and can be used to good effect in grassland or meadow gardens, or planted amongst rocks and boulders in succulent rockeries. Many of the smaller species such as L. cooperi, L. galpinii, and L. rupestris make attractive container specimens, where their brightly coloured flowers and curiously adorned leaves can best be appreciated.

Members of this genus are generally easily cultivated and are best raised from seed sown at the beginning of their growing season and then planted out into open ground or containers, once they reach a suitable size. Most species can be raised from seed to flowering size in about three years. They generally prefer full sun and a well-drained soil with adequate water in the warm summer growing season, and a dry resting period during the cool dry winter. Some species are adapted to hot arid regions; these should be given less water and may need to be kept in a glass house in cooler and wetter climates.

Propagation can also be done using other methods such as division, and in some species by leaf cuttings or using bulb regeneration techniques.

AcknowledgementsJohn Leroy is thanked for photo editing. Dr Matt Buys is thanked for editing the manuscript.