Bowiea volubilis (Climbing onion) / 5 seeds

Having a unique structure of a large, green, scaly bulb topped with several slender twining leafless green stems, Bowiea volubilis is a long living, perennial succulent endemic to eastern and southern Africa, growing in the dry desert regions there.

The genus is named after James Bowie, a 19^th century British plant collector for Kew’s Royal Botanical Gardens and it contains only two species, volubilis and gariepensis. Volubilis refers to the plant’s twining growth habit, whereas gariepensis refers to the geographical area of growth. Although its common name is climbing onion, it’s not onion, but rather comes under the lily family.

Bowiea volubilis is a highly popular houseplant. Since it has no to very few leaves, the photosynthesis is performed by flowers, and this has made Bowiea volubilis a collectable curiosity among bulb enthusiasts all through the world. In Southern Africa, this plant faces severe threat because of over-utilization as a medicinal herb. The bulb grows usually half-buried in the ground or up to 8 inches above the soil or fully exposed and is formed of overlapping scales. It sends up one or more twining, green, branched stems with a few linear deciduous leaves. These stems need to be supported by a trellis or stake. In late spring and summer, one or more fast-growing stems are produced which are covered with leafless side-branches that may fall off. The plant undergoes dormancy in winter when the scales dry and become paper-like. In spring, Bowiea volubilis produces beautiful green-white flowers. Bowiea volubilis is a deciduous climber climbing 3-4 m in surrounding vegetation or scrambling over rocks on hillsides. The bulb is large and reaches 150mm in diameter. Stems emerging from the top of the bulb are fleshy, bright green, much branched and function as leaves. Flowers are star-shaped, 16-24 mm in diameter, with stalks turning backwards, and have an unpleasant smell. If the plant receives enough sunlight, myriad flowers will scatter along the stems. Fruits are brownish oval capsule, around 25 mm in diameter.

Bowiea volubilis prefers partial sun to shade. It needs regular watering during its growing season, but rarely during dormancy. It’s recommended to stop watering slowly when the stalk dries out after blooming in summer otherwise the bulb may rot. Then start watering again when the stalk begins growing again in late winter. Let the soil dry out completely before next watering. Overwatering should be avoided strictly.

Bowiea volubilis is not cold hardy and will suffer at temperatures below 50-degree F.

Among pests, mealy bugs are the most problematic. They hide in the remnants of the old, dry, dead bulb scales.

Bowiea volubilis can be propagated from seed, divisions of bulbs or individual scales.