Home

Strange Wonderful Things

 Rare and exotic plants

Turquoise Puya

Paramongaia weberbaueri

Paramongaia weberbaueri - the "Giant Peruvian Daffodil" - is a beautiful and rarely-seen bulb in the Amaryllis family.  Its giant 6-7 inch Daffodil-like blooms are highly fragrant, with a scent as strong as Lilies!  This Peruvian native is rare in the wild, and equally uncommon in cultivation.  It is rarely seen for sale.

Paramongaia weberbaueri

Paramongaia grows throughout winter and spring, and the bulb goes dormant during summer, although a winter-dormant form also exists, which grows throughout summer.  The plant has upright leaves that get about 20 to 30 inches long.  These strap-like leaves develop an attractive bluish coating.  As the leaves emerge, the bulb sends up a 1 to 2 foot tall scape topped with a single, hand-sized flower.  The entire bloom is lemon-yellow, except for vivid green stamen filaments and orange anthers.  They have a distinctive scent that is unforgettable!  The bulb makes numerous baby bulbs, which you may separate.

Paramongaia weberbaueri

Paramongaia comes from Paramonga in Peru, where the climate is mild all year.  During the winter and spring growing period, it prefers temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees F (10-26°C).  It can take warm conditions if nights are cool (below 65°F / 18°C), but it's possible that hot days with warm nights might stress it.  Fortunately it goes dormant during summer.

It prefers mostly sunny conditions during winter & spring.  Give it a fast-draining soil mix, such as 1 part pumice rock, 2 parts coarse sand, and 1 part potting soil.  Grow it in a tall pot, since the bulb tends to dig itself deep to stay cool.  It wants regular water and feeding during the growing season.  While dormant, keep the soil almost completely dry.  Protection from frost is essential.

More tips on growing it

 

Check availability

 

Photos used with permission of Michael Loh

 

 

Home

Strange Wonderful Things

Rare and exotic plants

Turquoise Puya

Entire site Copyright 2003-2023 by Strange Wonderful Things, except as noted