Dietes iridioides aka Wild Iris

Taxonomy

Dietes iridioides, also known as African iris, fortnight lily, or morea iris, is a beautiful and delicate perennial evergreen native to Southern and Eastern Africa. Its prominent white flowers with yellow marks resemble splashes of watercolors on a pure white canvas, making it a popular choice for artists. However, it's important to handle this plant with care as it is poisonous to both animals and humans. Iris, a rare houseplant belonging to the Dietes genus, is also native to Southern and Eastern Africa. This plant thrives in direct light and requires regular watering, as well as well-draining soil. While it doesn't need added fertilizers, repotting every time the plant doubles in size can help it thrive.

Common names

Wild Iris, Iris, African Iris

How to care for Wild Iris

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Wild Iris is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Wild Iris should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Wild Iris loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Wild Iris requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Iris is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Wild Iris to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Wild Iris should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.


More info:
Wikipedia