Watsonia lepida grows and flowers in summer, and grows naturally in the high altitude summer-rainfall region of the eastern mountainous part of South Africa where the climate is cold and dry in winter, and warm and rainy in summer. It is ideally suited for grassland and highveld gardens because it withstands frost. In the garden, the corms can be left in the ground during winter, as long as the soil is well-drained, or lifted after flowering, and replanted in spring. It grows very well in well-drained soil in a sunny rockery that experiences high summer temperatures. It is also suitable for containers.

Watsonia lepida can be propagated from seeds sown in spring or early summer, in a well-drained medium of 1 part sand and 2 parts compost, at about 3-5 mm deep, in seed trays of not less than 10 cm deep, to allow sufficient root development. Seeds can be slightly covered with fine compost and should be kept moist at a warm temperature. Seeds will germinate from two to three weeks and watering must be consistent during the growing period.

The species also can be propagated by division, in which any offsets produced can be removed and replanted in spring. Plant the corms in a well-drained loamy soil or a mixture made up of 2 parts coarse sand and 2 parts bark-based potting soil, water thoroughly, and keep moist until established, whereafter water moderately.