Albuca tenuifolia, commonly known as Shaw’s Albuca, is a deciduous perennial bulb native to the arid regions and rocky outcrops of the Cape Provinces in South Africa. It typically grows to a height of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) and a width of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters). Shaw’s Albuca has a slender, erect form with narrow, lance-shaped leaves that may twist or curl. It produces racemes of nodding, bell-shaped yellow flowers with green stripes, which are particularly showy during the winter and spring months. The plant is not widely known for its fruit or berries.

Shaw’s Albuca is valued for its unique foliage and attractive, fragrant flowers that can add interest to winter gardens. It is often used in rock gardens, as a container plant, or in borders where its height can be appreciated. This plant requires full sun to light shade and prefers well-drained soil. While it needs regular watering during the growing season, it is drought-tolerant once established and requires less water during its dormant period in the summer. It is generally pest-free but can be susceptible to mealybugs and bulb rot if overwatered. Shaw’s Albuca is not known to be invasive but can multiply through seed dispersal or bulb offsets.CC BY-SA 4.0