© Jonathan Juan Chancasana Villacorta, some rights reserved (CC-BY) · iNaturalist
Overview
Amaryllis spp. is a genus of one or two bulbous perennials in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to the winter-rainfall region of the Western Cape of South Africa. The most familiar species, A. belladonna, grows from a large bulb 5-10 cm (2-4 in) across that sits at or just below the surface. In late summer and autumn each bulb sends up a solid, leafless stem 30-60 cm (12-24 in) tall topped with an umbel of 6-12 funnel-shaped flowers, pink to white and lightly scented. The strap-shaped leaves appear only after the flowers fade, lasting through winter and spring before dying back as the bulb rests over the dry summer. This habit of flowering on bare stems gives rise to the common name naked ladies. Amaryllis spp. grows on rocky slopes and flats in a Mediterranean-type climate of wet winters and dry summers, and the bulbs are sensitive to summer watering and hard frost. All parts contain lycorine and related alkaloids and are poisonous if eaten. Bulbs are slow to establish and often skip a year of flowering after being moved.
Native Range
Native to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it grows on rocky slopes in a climate of wet winters and dry summers.Suggested Uses
Grown in sunny borders, on dry banks, and in containers in mild, dry-summer climates, and forced as a pot bulb for autumn flowers elsewhere. The long-stemmed blooms are also cut for indoor display.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
The bulbs grow in full sun on sharply drained sandy or rocky soils and follow a winter-growing, summer-dormant cycle. They are watered through autumn and winter while in leaf and kept dry over their summer rest. The neck of the bulb is set at or just above the surface, and crowded clumps flower most freely. Hard frost damages the leaves, so in cold areas the bulbs are grown in containers or lifted. Plants are slow to settle and may not flower in the first year after planting.Pruning
No pruning is needed beyond removing spent flower stems and the leaves once they yellow and die back naturally. Cutting green leaves early starves the bulb and reduces the next year of flowering.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons