Bulbine frutescens

Bulbine frutescens, commonly known as the stalked bulbine or burn jelly plant, is a succulent perennial native to South Africa.

It forms low, clump-forming evergreen plants with fleshy, grasslike leaves that are bright green and slightly cylindrical or flattened.

The plant produces wiry stems that rise above the foliage, bearing small, star-shaped flowers in shades of yellow or orange.

These flowers often appear for much of the year in mild climates – or if the plants are kep by a sunny window indoors, creating a long-lasting display.

👨‍🌾GARDENING TIPS👨‍🌾: Bulbine frutescens

• • SOIL: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil / limestone-rich soils, and prefers neutral to alkaline
  • DROUGHT: Highly drought tolerant
  • EXPOSURE: full sun but can tolerate light shade,
  • HARDINESS: Down to about minus -5°C, but may die back in colder winters (mulch the roots to ensure that it springs back in the spring!)
  • Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
  • Looks great with Oscularia deltoides, Aloe vera, Crassula multicava

Learn more about gardening with Bulbine:

• • ENG: Border Plants – Bulbine

The Tales & The Botany: Bulbine frutescens

Bulbine comes from the Greek word bolbine, a general word for a bulbous plant – but we shall not be deceived by the name! The plant is not in any way bulbous based, rather its roots are rhizomes.

In addition to its ornamental qualities, the gel inside its leaves has been used traditionally in South Africa to soothe minor burns, rashes, insect bites, and sunburn.

Its succulent leaves, filled with a cooling gel, earned it the nickname “burn jelly plant,” and it became a staple of traditional herbal medicine.

Early European settlers and botanists were captivated by Bulbine frutescens and brought it back from their travels.

Over time, it found its place in gardens across the Mediterranean, Australia, and even temperate regions with mild winters.

Floral Morphology

Bulbine frutescens produces slender, wiry flower stems that rise above its fleshy, grasslike foliage.

The flowers are small, star-shaped, and typically bright yellow to orange, with prominent fluffy stamens that give them a delicate, “eyelashed” appearance.

Each flower is around 1–2 centimeters across, and the inflorescences are arranged in loose racemes, allowing multiple blooms to appear simultaneously.

Flowering is prolific in warm climates, often extending from spring through autumn, and the bright flowers are highly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

The plant’s succulent leaves store water, enabling the flowers to bloom even under drought conditions.

Ecology

Native to the dry, rocky regions of South Africa, Bulbine frutescens is adapted to well-drained, often nutrient-poor soils and can tolerate high levels of sunlight and heat.

Its succulent leaves help conserve water, making it resilient in arid environments.

In cultivation outside its native range, such as in Mediterranean or limestone gardens, it continues to attract pollinators and can act as a low-maintenance groundcover that reduces soil erosion on slopes.

The plant’s tolerance of poor soils, drought, and high sun exposure makes it an ideal candidate for xeriscaping and ecological restoration projects in warm, dry regions.

Other Names

Burn Jelly plant

Origin

South Africa