The cat's tail is a spreading perennial succulent with short, smooth and fleshy quill-like grey-green leaves that do not need much water to look good all year round. This little shrublet or groundcover grows quickly in spreading clumps and varies in height, but usually grows about 30 to 40m tall, and will spread continuously without becoming a nuisance. The name “Bulbine” comes from the Latin word "bulbus" meaning an onion or bulb, but this name is misleading because the plants do not have a bulbous base, and spread via adventitious roots.

The cat's tail grows with the minimum of care, and flowers profusely when planted in full sun. The pretty star-shaped yellow or orange flowers are carried on elegant long stems and have showy, fluffy stamens, and the flowers open progressively from the bottom of the spike upwards. Flowering is prolific in spring, but will be almost continuous during warm weather, and because the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and a host of other beneficial pollinators to the garden, this charming little plant is perfect for all wildlife gardens, no matter their size. The fruit is a small, rounded capsule and contains black seeds which are dispersed by the wind.

Bulbine frutescens is endemic to South Africa, meaning that it does not grow wild anywhere else in the world, unless it was planted there. In South Africa it is widespread, growing wild in succulent Karoo, Nama-Karoo, fynbos, rocky grasslands, and bushveld-savanna, where it is easy to spot when in full bloom. Bulbine is especially abundant in the dry valleys of the Eastern Cape, and in succulent rich thickets in parts of the Western and Northern Cape. It also occurs naturally in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and Gauteng.

Health Benefits:

Bulbine frutescens is one of nature’s finest medicinal plants, and although there are more than 50 Bulbine species, only eight are used medicinally by South African traditional healers, and both the fresh leaves and roots are used. Bulbine asphodeloides, Bulbine natalensis (rooiwortel), and Bulbine latifolia are especially popular, and are harvested in the wild and sold on the various ‘muti’ markets.

Like the well-known Aloe Vera, it’s the leaves of Bulbine frutescens with their clear jelly-like sap that is renowned for its wound healing properties, making it a wonderful first-aid plant to grow at home. If the fresh juice is frequently applied it is amazingly soothing and effective in taking care of a wide range of skin conditions and wounds, and the list is almost endless but includes: insect bites, burns, rashes, boils, mouth ulcers, fever blisters, cold sores (even in your mouth and nose), cracked skin, cracked finger nails and heels, cracked lips, acne, eczema, sunburn, and ringworm. It is also known to ease the effects of shingles, and will bring relief to bee and scorpion stings, as well as mosquito bites.

For everyday scrapes, insect bites, or minor burns, simply pick a leaf, squeeze out the juice and apply to the sore to sooth and stop bleeding. For large areas of skin the leaves can be liquidised with a little water and applied to the area. You can also make a warm poultice and apply it to the affected area to treat any of the above, as well as eczema and arthritis.

Internally an infusion of a few fresh leaves in a cup of boiling water is taken for coughs, colds and arthritis. Alternatively, a brandy tincture made with the roots stores well in the medicine cabinet and can be taken two or three times a day.

Used externally Bulbine species are reasonably safe, but check for allergic reactions. For internal use, be cautious, and it may be best to consult a medical professional first.

DIY Bulbine Cream:

Take a quarter cup of the squeezed out juice and add it to a quarter cup of good aqueous cream. Simmer them together gently in a double boiler, stirring constantly until the mixture is nice and smooth. Take off the heat and allow the mixture to cool. For really soft skin, you can add a few drops of vitamin E oil at this stage. Once the cream is set, store it in sterilised, airtight jars, in a cool dark place.

Pets:

Bulbine juice is also very effective for treating wounds, eczema, sores and rashes on animals.

Bulbine frutescens 'Yellow'In the Garden:

The cat’s tail is a drought hardy plant that makes a tough, water-wise groundcover for dry and cold regions, and is also perfect for coastal gardens because it tolerates poor soils and windy conditions. It can be grown almost anywhere you have sunshine, and even if space is limited, you can easily grow a specimen or two in pots placed on a sunny windowsill or balcony.

This plant is becoming more and more popular with gardeners and city landscapers alike as it will thrive and put on a good show in places where little else seems to grow. The cat’s tail is particularly useful to use in areas that are prone to neglect, like on slopes that are difficult to reach for usual maintenance, as the plant can basically be left do its own thing and still look lovely. For mass displays, plant 4 per square metre.

It is particularly showy when planted in massed displays, either alone or combined with other perennials in the mixed border, and is indispensable in rock and pebble gardens.

Because the cat’s tail and agapanthus flower at the same time, try planting the yellow flowered bulbine with blue agapanthus, and orange bulbine with white agapanthus, they put on a glorious show together.

Another very good reason to plant cat’s tail is that their brightly coloured flowers are magnets for honey bees and the flowers will also attract butterflies and other beneficial garden pollinators to your garden.           

Cultivation/Propagation:

This perennial grows well throughout South Africa because it tolerates heat, drought, frost, very strong winds, and all soil types. It’s ideal for both coastal conditions, and hot and dry inland gardens.

Cat’s tail flowers best in full sun, but it will grow in beds that receive some shade during the day. It grows quickly and easily in continually spreading clumps in the garden. Space plants about 20 to 30cm apart. Once established the plant is very water-wise, tolerating drought easily. However, to keep it looking at its best in the garden, try to water moderately during long, hot and dry spells.

Although it will grow in any soil and is tolerant of poor, dry soil, for the best results, and especially in very poor or sandy soils, its best to add generous amounts of compost to the beds. This will also help to conserve water. A seasonal spring or autumn mulch with compost or kraal manure will keep the plants flourishing, and feeding, along with the rest of the garden, won’t do them any harm.

Prune as required to keep the growth in check, and removing the dead flower spikes regularly will keep the bushes looking neat and encourage more flowering stems.

The cat’s tail makes a superb and interesting container subject, and it will soon tumble over the edges and reward you with a joyful abundance of flowers for most of the year. Plant into a medium to large pot using a good potting soil mixed with some compost.

The easiest way to propagate is by dividing the clumps, preferably in spring, but it can also be done at any convenient time, but if you live in a very cold region avoid transplanting in winter. Any piece pulled off a clump with a bit of stem will root in no time at all, and if you wish to propagate a lot of plants, these individual stem cuttings can be planted, and as soon as they have a reasonable root system they can be planted into their permanent positions in the garden.

Seeds will also germinate readily if sown in spring or summer, and once the seedlings have four leaves they can be transplanted into individual pots to grow on.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

This remarkable plant is not plagued by pests or diseases.

Caution:

Used externally Bulbine species are reasonably safe, but check for allergic reactions. For internal use, be cautious, and it is best to consult a medical professional first.