The inspiration for many a Snoop Dogg 🐩 tune the Albuca Spiralis is off the Hizzle my Nizzle (yep none of it’s in the dictionary but you know what Snoop means!). Who wants one?
📷: @plantyofpots
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ Plant in Australia?
Why we’re glad you asked as we do our best to have a steady supply of Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ plants.
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ Plant Introduction
The Albuca spiralis is a flowering plant species in the Asparagaceae family and a native to South Africa. It has very distinctive leaves that form curl-spiralled tips with glandular hairs. The Albuca spiralis is commonly called the corkscrew albuca or frizzle sizzle, and occasionally, the helicopter plant.
The plant has an entirely different schedule than what we’re most familiar with. Its growth spurt happens in cold weather, and it loves moist soil. It blooms in late winter and produces an attractive butter-like scent with a hint of vanilla. The plant goes into dormancy during the summer, causing it to lose all its leaves, and stays dormant until the winter. Shedding and drying leaves signify the beginning of its dormancy. Keep the bulb healthy, and the leaves grow back in winter!
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ Lighting & Position
It is best to place your Albuca spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ under the full sun or on a partially shaded spot with a south-facing orientation. The plant still will do well is there’s only partial sun, as long as it gets at least five to seven hours of sunlight. The more sunlight it gets, the curlier its leaves get.
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ Watering
It’s feast or famine for this bulb succulent when it comes to water availability. Give the plant enough water to thoroughly soak the soil. It’s best to wait a few days before watering again, ideally when the soil is dry. It should typically receive consistent watering during the winter months and will store water in its narrow long leaves. If you see that the leaves are yellowing or basal collapse, you may be overwatering your plant.
During its summer dormancy, you can cut back on watering to once every two or three weeks.
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ Humidity
Average room humidity is more than enough for the Albuca spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’. Too much moisture can cause floppy or soft leaves and non-curling leaves.
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ Soil and Fertiliser
The Corkscrew Albuca prefers well-drained sandy soil. A general succulent or cactus mix with added perlite or horticultural sand isn’t too heavy or dense and will give the roots enough room.
During autumn to winter, feed your Frizzle sizzle once every four waterings while the plant is growing or producing flowers. It’s important to keep the soil fertile to increase the likelihood of it producing flowers at the end of winter. Make sure that the soil is a little wet before feeding. We recommend using our Plant food available here.
In spring or summer when it’s dormant, there is no need to fertilise the plant until it begins to show signs of new growth at the beginning of winter.
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ Vulnerability to Pests & Disease
The Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ is resistant to pests and diseases making it an excellent houseplant. The plant is susceptible to bulb root but it’s best to avoid overwatering that may cause fungal growth.
Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ Toxicity to Pets
The Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ is toxic when ingested by dogs, cats and humans.
Want an Albuca Spiralis ‘Frizzle Sizzle’?