- Mature height
- 1.5m to 3m foliage, 5m to 6m in flower
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Doryanthes excelsa, the Gymea Lily, is an evergreen Australian native that builds a huge rosette of sword-shaped leaves up to 2 metres long. From a mature clump a single stem rises 3 to 4 metres, occasionally taller, carrying a dense head of deep red blooms. The form alone carries a planting, whether the plant is in flower or not.
It grows in full sun to part shade on well-drained sandy or gravelly ground, and is at home in the sandstone country around Sydney. Light to moderate frost is tolerated once established, and mature clumps are strongly drought tolerant. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 60 centimetres a year.
Use it as a feature in native and dry gardens, in groups on embankments and batters where the root system helps hold soil, and in civic plantings that need scale without irrigation. It also copes with roadside conditions. Allow 2 to 3 metres each way, since a mature clump takes up more ground than people expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Gymea Lily
What is a Gymea Lily?
Doryanthes excelsa is a large evergreen perennial from the coastal ranges of New South Wales, between Sydney and the Hunter. It forms a ground-level rosette of stiff strap-like leaves and, once mature, sends up a towering flower spike topped with a globe of red flowers. The name Gymea comes from the Dharawal language of the Sydney region.
How big does the Gymea Lily grow?
The leaf clump reaches about 2 to 3 metres across and around 2 metres high. When it flowers, the spike lifts well above that, commonly 3 to 4 metres and occasionally close to 6 metres on old plants. Allow a 2 to 3 metre footprint per plant so the outer leaves are not crushed against paths.
When does it flower?
Flowering runs through spring and into early summer, mostly September to December, with the spike taking several months to build and open. Plants need to reach a good size first, so expect to wait a number of years from a young plant. Each rosette flowers once, then offsets from the base carry the clump on.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
It grows best along the eastern seaboard, from Melbourne through coastal New South Wales to south-east Queensland, and does particularly well on the sandstone soils of the Sydney basin. It also performs in Adelaide and Perth on sandy free-draining ground. Cold inland districts with heavy frost, and wet clay sites, are the two situations to avoid.
Is it drought tolerant?
Very. Once the clump is established the thick fleshy roots carry it through long dry periods without supplementary water, which is why it turns up so often in unirrigated council plantings. Water regularly for the first two summers to get it away, then only in extreme heat. Drainage matters far more to this plant than rainfall.
Can it grow in pots?
It can, for a while. A young plant will sit happily in a container of at least 60 centimetres for several years and makes a strong entry statement. Eventually the root mass and leaf spread outgrow any pot, and it will need to go in the ground before it flowers. Use a free-draining native mix.
How do I care for a Gymea Lily?
Little is needed. Pull or cut away spent and browning outer leaves once or twice a year to keep the rosette clean, and take the flower stem down at the base once it finishes. Feed in early spring with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. Keep mulch clear of the crown, since the growing point rots if it stays wet.
