Arthropodium strictum

Chocolate Lily

Botanical Name: Arthropodium strictum
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Australia
Plant Type: Perennial herb (dies back in winter, reshoots in spring)

Overview

A charming South Australian native lily valued for its starry purple flowers and delicious chocolate-vanilla scent. Fine, strappy foliage emerges each spring and gives rise to airy stems of violet-purple blooms from late spring to early summer. Adaptable and low-maintenance, Chocolate Lily thrives in SA gardens, adding colour, fragrance and native character to borders, wildflower gardens and mass plantings.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.3-0.6 m H x 0.2-0.4 m W
• Growth Rate: 10-20 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Narrow, strappy, grass-like leaves; soft green, low tufting habit
• Flowers: Starry purple blooms with chocolate/vanilla scent, late spring–summer
• Seasonal Interest: Fresh green foliage in spring, fragrant purple flowers in late spring–summer, dies back in autumn and reshoots the following spring
• Wildlife Value: Attracts native bees, butterflies and hoverflies; seasonal nectar source; tubers are a traditional bush food for First Nations people
• Tolerance: Drought tolerant once established; Heat and low-rainfall tolerant in SA summers; Light frost hardy; Best in free-draining sandy or loamy soils
• Planting Density: Mass planting: 6–8 plants per m²; Clusters: 3–4 plants grouped for natural impact
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; avoid encouraging pets to dig tubers

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Loam, sandy loam or clay loam with good drainage
• Water Needs: Establishment: 1-2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in cooler months
• Maintenance: Once established, Chocolate Lily is very low-maintenance—just mulch in spring to conserve moisture, apply a light low-phosphorus native fertiliser if desired, and cut back spent foliage in late summer.
• Lifespan: 10–20+ years in good conditions (typical for long-lived native perennials)
• Climate Zones: Temperate and Mediterranean SA, including Adelaide plains and hills
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to moderately alkaline; tolerates limestone soils if free-draining

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Wildflower/native borders with daisies and grasses
• Naturalistic understorey beneath light tree canopies
• Seasonal mass plantings for fragrance and colour
• Native cottage-style blends

Why You Will Love It

The Chocolate Lily is uniquely Australian, combining sweet-scented purple flowers with resilience to Adelaide’s dry summers. Its seasonal rhythm adds surprise and delight each year, rewarding gardeners with fragrance, pollinator activity and effortless charm.