Cyanella hyacinthoides aka Cyanella Hyacinthoides

Cyanella hyacinthoides is a small plant known as lady's hand. It belongs to the family Tecophilaeaceae. Its native range covers South Africa's western and southwestern Cape. There, it grows in a subtropical climate. Wild plants occur on slopes with clay or granite. They also grow in renosterveld. The RHS lists Cyanella capensis as a synonym.

Plants reach about 1 foot (0.3 metres) in height. Their spread is about 0.7 feet (0.2 metres). Deep-set corms form the plant's underground storage organs. These help established plants withstand drought. PFAF lists flowers from July to August. Its planting guidance also links bloom time to planting season. Autumn planting can bring spring flowers, while spring planting can bring summer flowers. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees pollinate the flowers.

Give this plant a warm site with full sun. It does not grow in shade. Light, sandy soil suits it best in cultivation. Good drainage matters, despite its occurrence on clay slopes in the wild. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils. Soil can be dry or moist. A bed beside a south-facing wall offers the warmth it needs. PFAF also lists sites beside west-facing walls. Its small size suits these sheltered planting spaces.

Cold limits outdoor cultivation more than drought does. PFAF gives USDA zones 8–11, but also calls the plant frost tender. In mild areas, mulch can help protect outdoor plants. Plant corms about 0.5 feet (0.15 metres) deep. Another option is to lift them after growth dies back. Dry them, then keep them cool until replanting. Seeds can take three to four years to produce flowering plants. Sow them in autumn under glass. Keep seedlings in their first pot for a year. Divide offsets while the plants are dormant. Grow small offsets under cover before planting them outside.

PFAF records the cooked underground organ as an edible onion substitute. It gives this food use a low rating. The source reports no known hazards, but provides no specific pet-safety assessment. It records no medicinal or other practical uses. PFAF does not flag the species as weedy. The supplied accounts name no pests or diseases.