Pregnant onion

Pregnant onion Care

Albuca bracteata

What is the plant

Pregnant onions are quite popular houseplants. They add unusual looks to the apartment or garden and delight their owners with a pleasant smell. Due to their easy propagation system, people often take small plants from their friends and grow their luscious green beauties at home. Perhaps, that is why you often would find it challenging to purchase Pregnant onion plants.

Despite the name, Albuca bracteata, also known as the Pregnant onion, does not come from an onion family. These plants belong to South Africa and have bright and long succulent leaves. Pregnant onions bloom from May to August with fragrant white flowers, which, luckily, don't smell like onions!

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

-4°C - 5°C

Hardiness zone

4 - 10

Difficulty

Medium

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Albuca bracteata is very sensitive to water clogged soil. Ensure that the top few inches (5 cm) of the soil are dry to the touch before pouring your green pet a drink.
Pruning
You don't have to prune Pregnant onions regularly. However, we recommend removing dry layers of the bulbs to stimulate new growth. You can also remove wilted or damaged leaves using clean and sharp tools.
Fertilizer
Fertilize Pregnant onions during the growing season (spring, summer, and the beginning of fall) with water-soluble plant food. Ensure to carefully follow the instructions to get the correct dosage and frequency of use.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Pregnant onion plants prefer indirect bright sun or semi-shade. They can tolerate bright direct morning sun, but afternoon light might be too harsh for their leaves. A south-facing window is often the best choice.
Soil
To make your Pregnant onion happy, use well-draining soil. You can get a special potting mix meant for bulbous and succulent plants or simply adjust your substrate with sand, perlite, or vermiculite.
Propagation
You can propagate Pregnant onion by seed. However, the easiest method to propagate these plants is by taking a young bulb and planting it separately. The bulbs will fall off by themselves as they mature, or you can gently separate them from the mother plant.

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Temperature
Pregnant onion doesn't tolerate frost well, so ensure to bring it inside if it gets really cold in the winter. The best temperature range would be 59-80˚F (15-27˚C). However, this plant can survive a temperature as low as 25F (-4˚C).
Container
Pregnant onion plants don't like to sit in water for too long, so ensure that your pot has a proper drainage hole. You can also use a suspended basket to create a nice-looking cascade with Albuca's leaves.
Fun fact
The leaves of Albuca bracteata have a therapeutic effect close to Aloe Vera. In folk medicine, they are known for their positive properties and are used to treat cuts, bruises, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, this plant is intended only for external use. It's toxic if ingested and can cause severe dermatitis if handled without proper precautions.