Bowiea volubilis

Common Names

Climbing Onion, Sea Onion, Climbing Sea Onion, Zulu Potato

Summary

Commonly known as Climbing Onion, Sea Onion, or Zulu Potato, this long‑lived bulbous succulent is native to dry regions of eastern and southern Africa from Kenya to South Africa. It forms a large onion‑like bulb, often partly above soil, with a branching, leafless green stem that climbs and can reach several meters; leaves are few or absent, with tiny true leaves appearing briefly. In spring it produces small greenish‑white, star-shaped flowers along the stems, and the overall habit features pale green, drought‑tolerant growth with an unpleasant scent.

For cultivation, gritty, well‑drained soil and bright light are preferred; it tolerates full sun to sheltered sun and heat but not extended cold, with minimum temperatures around 10°C (50°F). Water regularly during the growing season and allow the substrate to dry between waterings; stop watering after the stalks dry following blooming and resume in fall. Pot should be barely larger than the bulb with drainage; provide support for climbing stems or allow tangling; propagation by seeds, offsets, or bulb division; mealybugs can be a pest; all parts are poisonous due to cardiac glycosides.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2 feet – 16 feet 5 inches

Spread

4-8 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10a-11b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Gritty, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil

Soil pH

6.5

Bloom Color

Green to yellowish-green

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, Bright green, Glaucescent foliage, Pale green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Very fast-growing.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Offsets, Bulb-scale cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts flies and wasps