Plant Profile: Chasmanthe

The African Corn Flag is a perennial herb characterized by its striking red to yellow flowers and elongated, slender leaves, typically found in coastal ranges. This plant is indigenous to southern Africa and thrives in environments such as dunes, scrublands, and chaparral. It reproduces through corms that can proliferate quickly, which may lead to it becoming invasive in garden settings. Additionally, its seeds are spread by birds and water.

This plant requires full sun and has minimal water requirements. When planting, corms should be buried about 5 inches (12.5 cm) deep and spaced 6 to 10 inches apart. It is sensitive to cold, suffering damage at temperatures below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, which may hinder its ability to thrive in North Carolina's climate. To encourage more abundant flowering, it is advisable to divide the corms every 3 to 4 years while they are dormant.