About
A free-flowering perennial to around 70cm in height, with long, semi-upright, strap-shaped green foliage. Large, trumpet-shaped pure white flowers brushed with salmon-pink and a green throat appear from January to March.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 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 from October to January using peat-free John Innes No.2 into pots a little larger than the bulb itself. Two-thirds of the bulb should remain above the surface. Place in a well-lit spot at 21°C. Water sparingly until the new leaves develop and then start watering regularly. Turn the pot regularly to prevent the flower stem from bending toward the light. Once in flower, move the pot to a cool room to extend the flowering period. 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 by division, removing bulb offsets in autumn, or propagate by seed sown as fresh as possible, at 16-18°C (61-64°F). Keep young plants growing actively, in moderate warmth, allowing no periods of dormancy
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to bulb scale mite and narcissus bulb fly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free