Agapanthus ‘Black Pantha’

Agapanthus 'Black Pantha' (Agapanthus africanus 'Black Pantha') is the darkest of the common agapanthus, opening from near black buds into heads of deep violet blue. It reaches about 1m tall in flower and 60cm across, so it holds a border edge without spreading. Strappy evergreen foliage carries the planting the rest of the year.

Why you'll love it

• The darkest flower in the group. It reads far stronger from a distance than the pale garden agapanthus.
• Neat and predictable. Evergreen year round, and it neither sprawls nor needs staking.
• Coastal and dry tolerant. Salt wind, sandy soil, reflected heat and long dry spells are all handled once the clump settles.
• Frost hardy. Unlike most showy flowering perennials it takes frost, so cool temperate gardens perform as well as warm ones.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 40cm apart for a solid block. The foliage closes within a season and the flower stems rise as an even layer rather than a scatter.

Borders and edging. A single row at 40cm centres gives a clean low edge along a path or driveway, tidy on one clean up a year.

Pots and coastal gardens. It flowers better slightly crowded, so a 400mm pot suits it for years. In seaside beds it shrugs off the salt wind that burns most perennials.

Growing Agapanthus 'Black Pantha' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the most flower heads and the deepest colour, though a few hours of shade is fine. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. The humid tropics push it to leaf instead of flower, and hard inland frosts knock the foliage back before it shoots again in spring.

Soil. Almost anything that drains, and sandy coastal soil is ideal. On heavy clay raise the bed and work compost through; a clump sitting in cold wet ground all winter rots at the crown.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in extended dry weather. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough; too much nitrogen gives lush leaves and fewer flowers.

Pruning. Cut spent stems off at the base as soon as flowering finishes. That keeps the clump neat and stops seed setting, which matters because agapanthus is regarded as an environmental weed in parts of southern Australia. Divide congested clumps every four or five years.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes as tube stock, in 140mm packs of ten and 200mm packs of six. Tubes are small divisions that typically flower in their second season. The 140mm packs are the practical choice for edging a path or filling a bed; the 200mm plants often flower in their first summer.

Foliage may look creased or bent after transit, which is cosmetic and grows out. Expect new leaves within a month in the growing season and a settled clump by the end of year one. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full agapanthus range
• Compare plants for mass planting
• Salt tolerant plants for coastal gardens

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Agapanthus sap and roots are irritant and toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, and the sap can irritate skin as well. Wear gloves when dividing, and choose something else if you have a pet that eats plants.

Will it seed into the garden?

It can, and agapanthus is treated as an environmental weed in parts of southern Australia. Cut the spent flower stems off at the base before seed sets.

Why has mine stopped flowering?

Usually too much shade, too much nitrogen, or a congested clump. Lift and divide it, move it into full sun, and feed once in early spring only.