As part of the fynbos flora, the African lily is well adapted to survive the periodic outbreaks of fire that burn through the plant community, on average, every 12 to 15 years (5). Unlike many other fynbos plants, the African lily is not dependant on the occurrence of fire to initiate flowering; however, after the above-ground vegetation is burnt back, the plant will grow fairly rapidly from thick, fleshy roots, stimulating the production of large numbers of its brightly-coloured flowers (2) (4).
The African lily flowers from late December to early March, with a peak in flowering between January and February (4). Individual A. a. africanus plants clump together in large groups, producing flowers on numerous shoots, which are pollinated primarily by carpenter bees. The much smaller clumps of A. a. walshii are thought to be pollinated mainly by the orange-breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea).