Tuberose: Growing, Storing and Cutting the Most Fragrant Bloom

Tuberose has a scent many people know without ever seeing the flower: it is a key note of classic perfumery. In late summer it sends up a tall spike of waxy white flowers whose sweet fragrance fills the whole garden, especially in the evening. Tuberose is tender and will not overwinter in the ground, but it is perfectly possible to grow it in Ukraine. Here is how.

What is tuberose

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa, now classified as Agave amica) is a perennial tuberous plant from Mexico, a close relative of agave. An elongated tuber produces a rosette of narrow leaves and a stem 60–100 cm tall on which waxy white tubular flowers open from the bottom up. There are single varieties and doubles such as 'The Pearl'. It flowers in August–September.

Pre-sprouting and planting

Tuberose needs a long warm season, so in our climate the tubers are started indoors.

View full-size photoTuberose blooms in late summer, producing tall stems with white flowers

1. In March–April, pot the tubers in light compost with the tip at soil level and keep them warm (20–25 °C) and bright. Water sparingly until leaves appear.
2. Once frosts are over and the soil has warmed (usually late May–June), plant out in a sunny, sheltered spot with loose, fertile soil, 15–20 cm apart.
3. Tuberose also grows well in large pots on a terrace or balcony.

Care for flowering

• Sun and warmth — at least 6 hours of direct light.
• Watering — regular and generous while growing, without waterlogging.
• Feeding — every 2–3 weeks with a potassium-rich flowering fertiliser.
• Support — stake tall stems in windy spots.

Why tuberose flowers only once

A large tuberose tuber flowers only once. Afterwards it produces offsets that flower in 1–3 years once they reach size. For reliable blooms each year, plant large tubers and grow small ones on separately.

View full-size photoTuberose tubers are potted for pre-sprouting in spring

How to store tubers in winter

1. Lift the tubers with a ball of soil before the first frosts.
2. Cut back the leaves to a few centimetres and dry the tubers for 1–2 weeks somewhere warm and airy.
3. Store them in dry peat, vermiculite or paper bags at no lower than 10–12 °C; cold and damp cause rot.
4. In spring, sort them and keep large, healthy tubers for flowering.

Tuberose as a cut flower

Florists love tuberose for its scent and white colour — it often appears in bridal bouquets and buttonholes. Cut stems last 7–10 days in a vase with fresh cuts and clean water, and buds keep opening. The scent is strong, so avoid the bedroom.

Tuberose is ornamental, not edible, so keep tubers away from children and pets. More garden flowers: annuals for flower beds and flowers that bloom all summer; the full A–Z is in types of flowers.

FAQ

When should I plant tuberose?

Start tubers in pots in March–April and plant out after the frosts once the soil warms, usually late May or June.

Does tuberose overwinter in the ground?

No — in Ukraine the tubers are lifted in autumn and stored warm, at no lower than 10–12 °C.

View full-size photoCut tuberose flowers stay fresh in a vase for up to 10 days

Why is my tuberose not flowering?

Usually the tuber is too small or has already flowered. Lack of sun and warmth can also be the cause.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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