Polianthes—commonly called Tuberose—is grown for its powerfully sweet fragrant flowers. The flowers appear on erect and spikelike racemes. Individual flowers are tubular to narrowly funnel-shaped and bloom orange-red or white.
There are 13 species in the Polianthes genus. The species Polianthes tuberosa is most commonly grown and known as tuberose. It grows from a tuber-rhizome. Flower spikes appear above a fountain of narrow grass leaves.
Polianthes are members of the agave family and are closely related to century plants (Agave) and yuccas (Yucca). Polianthes are native to Mexico.
![Tuberose, Polianthes tuberosa](https://harvesttotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bigstock-Beautiful-White-Mexican-Tubero-331581253-2-779x1024.jpg)
Get to know Polianthes–Tuberose
- Plant type: Perennial from tuber-rhizome
- Growing zones and range: Zones 9-11
- Hardiness: Warm-season rhizome; grow indoors in winter
- Height and width: 18 to 42 inches (45-106cm) tall
- Flowers: Loose whorls of tubular glistening white flowers
- Bloom time: Summer to early fall
- Uses: flower borders, cut flower garden; long-lasting cut flower
- Common name: Tuberose
- Botanical name: Polianthes
- Family name: Agavaceae
Where to plant Polianthes–Tuberose
- Grow Polianthes in full sun.
- Plant Polianthes in moist, humus-rich soil that is well-drained.
![Tuberose, Polianthes tuberosa](https://harvesttotable.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Polianthes-tuberosa-bigstock-Agave-amica-tuberose-flower-a-389278750-5-1024x576.jpg)
When to plant Polianthes–Tuberose
- Plant tubers outdoors in spring in Zones 6 and warmer; in Zones 3-5 start tubers indoors 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost so that they have enough to bloom once set in the garden.
- When started indoors set containers on a heat mat to speed growth.
- Set Polianthes outdoors once the soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures remain above 60°F (15.6°C)
- In mild-winter regions, they can be grown outdoors year-round.
Planting and spacing Polianthes–Tuberose
- Set tubers 3 inches (7.6cm) deep.
- Space Polianthes 6 inches (15cm) or more apart.
How to water and feed Polianthes–Tuberose
- Once leaves appear, water Polianthes regularly.
- Work a balanced fertilizer into the soil at planting time.
- Feed plants every two weeks until flowers fade; use a mild all-purpose fertilizer.
Polianthes–Tuberose care
- Tubers may survive Zone 7 winters with an extra-heavy layer or coarse mulch such as evergreen boughs, salt hay, or pine needles.
- To overwinter tubers indoors, gradually withhold water as the leaves begin to turn yellow; lift them from the garden after the first light frost, allow them to dry in a warm shaded place, then cut off the foliage. Store them in dry peat moss or vermiculite in a cool (65°C), dry place over winter.
Polianthes–Tuberose pests and diseases
- Polianthes is usually not bothered by insect pests or diseases.
Polianthes–Tuberose propagation
- Propagate Polianthes by separating offsets in spring.
- Sow seed at about 70°F (21°C).
Polianthes–Tuberose varieties to grow
- Polianthes tuberosa, tuberose. Grows 2 to 4 feet (.6-1.2m) tall with rosettes of basal leaves; bears erect spikes of 20 or more waxy white 1- to 2.5-inch flowers that are intensely fragrant. Cultivar ‘The Pearl’ produces fragrant, semidouble, or double creamy white flowers. Cultivar ‘Mexican Single’ grows to 42 inches (104cm) tall.