About
An adaptable perennial bulb grown as a houseplant, with long, strap-shaped green leaves. Clusters of large, pale pink flowers streaked with dark reddish pink are produced on upright stems in winter.
About the genus
Hippeastrum are deciduous bulbous perennials with slightly fleshy, strap-shaped leaves and stout, leafless stems bearing umbels of large, funnel-shaped flowers usually in winter or spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationPlant bulbs in autumn in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with the neck and shoulders above the soil surface. Place in bright filtered or full light and water sparingly until in active growth, then water freely and apply a dilute, balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks. After flowering reduce watering as the leaves die off; keep dry when dormant. Pot on every 3-5 years in autumn. See hippeastrum cultivation and bulbs for Christmas flowering for further information
PruningCut back flowering stems as they go over. Cut back leaves as they go yellow, when bulb is going into dormancy
PropagationPropagate seed as soon as they are ripe. Keep seedlings growing without a dormant period to encourage early flowering, bulbs will take three to five years to flower. Alternatively, propagate by removing bulb offsets in autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to bulb scale mite and narcissus bulb fly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal diseases