Vanilla Lily

Vanilla Lily (Sowerbaea juncea) is a native perennial with long, slender, rush-like leaves and clusters of small purple-pink flowers held on thin stems, mainly in spring but often sporadically through the year. It forms a clump 40 to 60cm high and wide. The flowers carry a vanilla-chocolate scent on warm, still days, and it enjoys damp ground that defeats many garden plants.

Why you'll love it

• A scented native. On a warm, still day the flowers give off a vanilla-chocolate fragrance, and a sheltered spot intensifies it.
• Flowers that dance. Pink clusters sway on long slender stems, so a drift of plants moves in the breeze.
• Happy in wet soil. Moist ground, pond margins and creek banks suit it, which solves a problem spot in many gardens.
• Found right across eastern Australia. It grows naturally from Queensland to Tasmania in moist sandy grassland and coastal heath.
• Good for pots and wildlife gardens. It adds finer texture to containers and native plantings, and a garden gives it a refuge while its coastal heath habitat shrinks.

Where it works best

Pond edges, creek banks and wet spots. Plant 40cm apart in drifts along the water's edge or in a boggy corner, and mulch to hold the moisture.

Native, wildlife and cottage gardens. The airy flowers mix with other natives and soften formal edges. Plant 40cm apart in loose groups.

Sensory gardens and pots. Put it where you can smell the flowers, by a seat or doorway, in a sheltered spot. In a pot, keep the mix moist.

Growing Vanilla Lily in Australia

Position and climate. A sunny spot or dappled shade suits it, in a sheltered position if you want the most scent. It grows from Queensland to Tasmania, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. We have no confirmation of its frost tolerance: it grows in Tasmania, but it thrives on the coast where the climate is milder.

Soil. Plant in moist soil. In the wild it grows in moist sandy grassland and coastal heath, so sandy or loamy soil that holds moisture is ideal. Mulch after planting to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature while the young plant establishes.

Water and feed. Keep the soil moist, never letting it dry out while the plant is young, and in dry weather water more often. A light dose of slow release native fertiliser in spring is plenty.

Pruning. No regular pruning is needed. Plants die back after flowering, especially in drier locations, and reappear the following year. Tidy away the dead leaves once they have browned.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Vanilla Lily as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small tuft of slender leaves and will flower once it has settled in. Plant it in moist soil and mulch.

Our grower supplies the tube, and supply comes and goes. A sold out tube just means the grower has none right now: press the notify button on the page and we will email you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse all Australian natives
• Best pond plants for Australian gardens
• More fragrant plants
• Designing a native garden for wildlife

Common questions

Does it really smell of vanilla?

Yes, with a hint of chocolate, but it is a light scent that you catch on warm, still days. A sheltered position intensifies it, so plant it near a seat or path.

Why has it disappeared after flowering?

Vanilla lily dies back after flowering, especially in drier spots, and reappears the next year. Keep the soil moist, mark where it is, and do not dig it up.

Does it need to be near a pond?

No, but it likes moisture. Any soil that stays damp suits it, and a pond margin or creek bank is ideal. In a drier bed, mulch heavily and water often.