Home / African Iris
African Iris
African Iris
African Iris
1 / 3
Flowering Shrub

African Iris

5.0/5 6 reviews
Will it grow where you live?

Zones 8-11

Size: 3 gallon
$65

Black Friday Sale

20% off sitewide

Ends inSun, Nov 29

Take 20% off orders of $150+, applied automatically at checkout.

Add $85 more with this to unlock 20% off your order.

Get it soonFree shipping over $249

Buy more, save more

Save up to $1,000 on your whole cart.

See all savings tiers
Free shipping$249+
Automatic
10% offAny 2 items
$50 off$350+
$125 off$750+
$300 off$1,500+
$500 off$2,500+
$750 off$3,250+
$1,000 off$4,000+

Your code will auto-apply at checkout.

1-year guaranteeShips in 1–5 daysReal plant experts

From our farm to your front door

  • Shipped in its nursery pot, so the roots stay undisturbed
  • Soil secured so it stays put in transit
  • Packed so the plant stays steady on the way to you

At a glance

Leaves
Evergreen: keeps its leaves all year
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Water
When the top 2" of soil is dry
Growth & size
Moderate-growing evergreen perennial. Typically reaches a mature size of approximately 2-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide in dense clumping growth.
Botanical name
Dietes iridioides
Hardiness
Zones 8-11
Tolerates
Heat tolerantDrought tolerantCoastal tolerantWind tolerantHumidity tolerant
USDA zone map for African Iris

Where it grows in the groundShaded areas are the zones where it can be planted outdoors.

Not sure it'll thrive where you live?Real people who answer questions before and after planting.
Chat now

What customers are saying

5.0
out of 5 · 6 verified reviews

Why customers love it

African Iris

Healthy, well-rooted plants

Hand-selected and shipped in its nursery pot.

African Iris

Delivered to your door

Skip the nursery trip. Very little car Tetris required.

African Iris

Real plant experts

Ask us anything before or after planting.

African Iris

1-year guarantee

If something goes wrong, we'll help make it right.

Care made simple

Plant it right once and it does the rest.

Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun

Pick the spot before you dig.

Water
When the top 2" of soil is dry

Water slowly and deeply. Check more often in its first summer.

Grows in
Zones 8-11

Enter your ZIP above to check your zone.

Your first year together

  1. 1Day 1

    Plant it, then water slowly until the whole root ball is soaked.

  2. 2First few weeks

    Keep the soil evenly moist while new roots settle in.

  3. 3First summer

    Water deeply during hot, dry spells.

  4. 4Next spring

    New growth starts. Feed as it wakes up.

Planting instructions
Choose a planting location with well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade exposure. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the rootball and plant so the top of the rootball sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with native soil and water deeply after planting to help settle the roots. Apply mulch around the base to help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature, while keeping mulch slightly away from the crown of the plant to avoid excess moisture buildup.
Watering & sunlight
Water when the top few inches of soil begin to dry. Approximately once or twice per week during establishment, then less frequently once established. African Iris becomes fairly drought tolerant over time but may benefit from occasional deep watering during extended hot or dry periods. Watering frequency may vary based on climate, soil type, rainfall, and establishment phase.

African Iris grows best in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, partial afternoon shade can help protect foliage and encourage longer-lasting blooms.
Care guide

PRUNING:
African Iris requires minimal pruning and is considered a low-maintenance landscape perennial. Remove spent flower stalks and trim away damaged or older foliage as needed to maintain a clean appearance and encourage fresh growth.

FERTILIZING:
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring to encourage healthy foliage and flowering. Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish. Excessive fertilization may lead to lush foliage growth with fewer blooms.

WINTER PROTECTION:
In warmer climates, African Iris generally requires little to no winter protection. In areas that experience occasional freezes, applying mulch around the base can help insulate roots during colder temperatures. Foliage damaged by frost can typically be trimmed back in spring as new growth emerges.

Shipping & what's inside

Your plant ships in its nursery pot with the soil secured, packed so it stays steady on the way to you.

1-year guarantee

Every plant is covered by our 1-year guarantee. If something goes wrong, contact our team and we'll walk you through it.

Answered by Simply Trees plant experts
How big does the African Iris get?
African Iris typically grows about 2-4 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide in a dense clumping form. Over time, mature clumps can gradually spread wider if left undivided.
How fast does African Iris grow?
African Iris is a slow to moderate grower, typically adding about 6 to 12 inches per year under ideal conditions.
Where is the best place to plant African Iris?
African Iris grows best in locations with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. It performs beautifully along walkways, borders, pool areas, and mass landscape plantings.
How far apart should I plant African Iris?
African Iris plants are typically spaced about 2-3 feet apart to allow room for mature clumping growth while still creating a full landscape appearance.
Does African Iris bloom all year?
In warm climates, African Iris may bloom repeatedly throughout much of the year, especially from spring through fall. Blooming tends to increase with adequate sunlight and warm temperatures.
Is African Iris drought tolerant?
Yes. Once established, African Iris is fairly drought tolerant and can handle periods of dry weather better than many flowering perennials.
Does African Iris spread?
Yes. African Iris gradually spreads through underground rhizomes, forming larger clumps over time. Mature plants can be divided if desired to control spread or create additional plants.
Can African Iris tolerate shade?
Yes. African Iris tolerates partial shade well, although flowering is typically heaviest when planted in areas receiving more sunlight.
Is African Iris low maintenance?
Yes. African Iris is considered a very low-maintenance perennial that requires minimal pruning, adapts well to many conditions, and generally has few pest or disease issues.
Can African Iris handle coastal conditions?
Yes. African Iris performs well in many coastal landscapes due to its tolerance for heat, humidity, wind, and mild salt exposure.
Still deciding? Our plant experts reply fast on live chat. Chat with us