Little White Soldiers (Drimiopsis maculata)

Little White Soldiers: A Spotted Foliage Groundcover

Little White Soldiers (Drimiopsis maculata, syn. Ledebouria petiolata) is a charming bulbous perennial from South Africa, grown primarily for its attractive foliage. The broad, lance-shaped leaves are distinctly spotted with dark green to purple markings, resembling a leopard's coat. In spring to summer, it produces slender racemes of small, greenish-white flowers that age to pale pink.

Growing Conditions

This plant thrives in shade to partial shade with well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and makes an excellent groundcover for dry shade under trees. In colder climates (below USDA zone 9), grow in containers and bring indoors for winter. The bulbs multiply steadily, forming dense colonies.

Taxonomy

• Family: Liliaceae
• Genus: Drimiopsis
• Species: maculata
• Synonym: Ledebouria petiolata