For the specialist bulb grower, Strumaria phonolithica is worth growing for its ornamental leaf fans, scented white, pendent flowers and exposed bulb neck covered with thick layers of papery outer tunics. It is easily grown with careful attention to aspect and watering procedure and very well suited to containers, but cannot survive the rigours of general garden cultivation.

Compared with other members of this genus, S. phonolithica produces its leaves and flowers relatively late in the season, in late autumn. Flowering is fairly consistent in cultivation, although mature bulbs sometimes skip flowering for one or two seasons.

The plants perform well in 200mm diameter plastic pots in a sharply drained, sandy growing medium consisting of equal parts of washed coarse river sand or grit, and industrial (silica) sand. The bulbs like a position receiving bright light throughout the day, or morning sun and afternoon shade and are planted in early autumn with the upper part of the neck exposed. As with all strumarias, this species has deciduous roots and produces a new set each autumn. The roots and bulbs are sensitive to excess moisture and following an initial drench in autumn, require drenching at well-spaced intervals of about two weeks, once the leaves have started to emerge. It is important for the growing medium to desiccate sufficiently before the next drench is given, and once the leaves start to turn yellow in spring, watering must be withheld completely until the following autumn.

The plants are generally best regarded as half hardy (can tolerate minimum temperature down to 0°C but can probably withstand very light frost for a few hours. They require the protection of the cool glasshouse in cold climates.

The only feasible way in which to propagate this species is by means of seed as the bulbs are solitary and do not form offsets. Seed production in cultivation is erratic and propagation by this method is a long process, taking a minimum of five or six years before flowering stage is reached, in ideal conditions. Harvest the fleshy round seeds as soon as they are easily detached from the capsules and sow in deep pots by scattering them onto a sowing medium such as equal parts of washed coarse river sand or grit, and industrial (silica) sand. Lightly cover the seeds with a 2mm layer of the same medium and water well with a fine rose once per week.

The bulb tunics and leaf bases of Strumaria phonolithica and all members of this genus are susceptible to infestations of mealy bug.