Although I see it described as "easy to grow", it will only flourish when very specific requirements are met.

It has a great look

The 'Frizzle Sizzle' produces upright green leaves with spiraling ends, giving it an other-worldly appearance. This unique plant is a great addition to a houseplant collection. Besides, what other plant has all those z's in its name?

Do you sing to your plants? Some gardeners do. My song choice for Albuca spiralis 'Frizzle Sizzle' would have to be "Come On Baby, Let's Do The Twist".

Does singing to plants make a difference? A study by the Royal Horticultural Society found that plants respond well to music, and talking to plants really can help them grow faster. And so, science catches up with what gardeners have known all along.

twisted leaves of the Frizzle Sizzle

(my photo)

Hyacinth or asparagus?

Although I've seen Albucas categorized as hyacinths, they actually belong to the Asparagaceae family. If you've ever grown asparagus, you can probably see the family resemblance. Leaves sprout from a thick underground rhizome that should be planted high in the soil, exposing some of the bulb.

In spring and summer, healthy corkscrew plants produce large, fragrant, yellowish-green blooms with a pleasing buttery vanilla scent. Tip: growing this plant in bright sunlight will give the leaves tighter curls.

How it grows

For me, the trickiest thing about this plant is the watering requirements. If you don't get that right, 'Frizzle Sizzle' will frazzle you for sure. I recently purchased a second plant that's currently bone dry, as it should be. If you're anything like me, you will have to fight the urge to give this plant a little water during the hot summer months.

At that time, the plant will lose its leaves after blooming and go dormant. While flower stalks are growing, the tips of the leaves frequently turn brown. I took this to mean my plant needed more water. Wrong. It's normal. New leaves will sprout in the fall. Always keep the bulb dry through its summer dormancy. Resume watering when new growth begins again. Albuca spiralis is native to South Africa where it's found in dry sandy and loamy soils.

Keep it warm

Plant in a coffee cup

(my photo)
When planted in pots, tender succulents such as 'Frizzle Sizzle', cannot survive a freeze. Bring the plant indoors if there is even the slightest risk of a hard frost. Don't forget about bright light. Locate it in a sunny window or under a grow light.
Get your own Frizzle Sizzle right here!

grow light bulb

(Adamantios, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

This plant's three basic needs are bright light, not much water, and good drainage to prevent root rot. I'm repeating myself; however, meeting those specific requirements is necessary for success.

Be sure it drains well

Make certain your container has drainage. A terra-cotta pot is the best choice for succulents that like it dry. Clay pots wick away moisture more quickly than plastic and other materials.

twisted succulent leaves
(Silverhill form)
You may see chalky white areas on the outside of the pots. Terra-cotta is porous, allowing liquids and small particles to pass through it when wet. Water contains salts and minerals that leave the chalky deposits on the pots. Don't throw them away. The residue can be removed.

Use the right soil

Selecting the correct soil is very important. All bags of soil are not the same. Use a cactus and succulent mix containing 50%-70% mineral grit, such as perlite, coarse sand, or pumice. Stop watering as soon as water begins to run out of the drainage hole. Wait until the soil is totally dry before watering again.

The important thing is to make sure the soil drains easily and doesn't clump or become like mud when the plant is watered.
This succulent and cacti potting mix is organic and made in the USA.

Use the right size pot

stacks of clay pots

Another important consideration when planting 'Frizzle Sizzle' is pot size. A pot that's too much larger than the original can easily lead to overwatering. When repotting, only go up one pot size at a time, and always make sure there's a drainage hole in the bottom of the container.

To fertilize or not to fertilize?

This plant really doesn't require fertilizing. However, many growers say it produces better results. If you do choose to feed your Albuca 'Frizzle Sizzle', once or twice a year during the growing season is sufficient. Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for succulents and cacti. I prefer organic plant food as well as an organic potting mix.

See, it isn't that difficult to keep 'Frizzle Sizzzle' happy as long as you meet its very specific needs.

indoor plant food bottle

(my photo)