This species, native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia, grows in sandy habitats among bushes and tall grasses. For this reason, it has evolved to bloom with tall, thin flower spikes in order for the flowers to be available to pollinators above the thick neighboring vegetation. We imported our original stock of this species in 1978 and have grown them from seed since then. These current divisions are rooted divisions off of select plants we kept from those seed-grown generations. Overall, this species is considered easy to grow and flowers from July through October. For best results, water frequently during the summer months as the mix dries. For best flowering results, be sure to introduce a drier winter rest to mimic its natural conditions.