Vanilla Lily

Vanilla Lily is a tuberous plant known for its small, fragrant flowers that emit a sweet vanilla-like aroma. It is a grass-like plant, and can be grown and flowered in both sun and shade. The plant is native to Australia, thriving in various soils and climates, including sandy, clay, and loamy soils.

Mild in flavor, the tubers become a delicious snack when thinly sliced and air-fried. They can also be roasted, mashed, or boiled like potatoes. The flowers are also edible, and may be used as an aromatic garnish for salads and cakes.

As the weather starts to warm up from September to December, the Vanilla Lily will proudly shows off its fragrant white, pale pink, or mauve flowers. The tubers can be harvested any time once the plant is mature, which is roughly two years, but we recommend waiting until the growing season ends in early summer. This gives plenty of time to enjoy the fragrant flowers.

Uproot the entire plant to get at the tubers. If left unharvested, the plant will go briefly dormant over late Summer and reshoot the following Autumn.

Vanilla Lily is suitable for ornamental mass plantings, as well as adding quaint pops of colour to rockeries and paved spaces. Despite its tuberous below-ground parts, this plant can thrive in medium-sized pots in balcony gardens.

Propagate in early autumn and spring.