Unlike many perennials which grow bare in the centre with age, this plant forms a bushy and well-shaped clump. The tall stems are strong, branching freely, and they tend to curve inwards in a self-supporting manner so that staking is not necessary. Lateral buds develop while the main spikes are flowering and these continue the season till near the end of March. The soft, light green foliage often turns red in aging towards autumn. Top growth dies down for winter and should be cut back to ground level.
Propagation is by root division or seed, and self-sown seedlings often appear in open ground.
If desired, cuttings may be taken from non-flowering laterals in midsummer and struck outdoors in shade. This species is not grown commercially in Australia as often as might be expected, though in other countries named garden varieties have been grown for years. These range from white to pink and deep purple, and include double flowers. Short flower spikes last well as a cut flower in water.