Family: Amaryllidaceae
Common Name: Blood Lily

There are nine species of bulbous plants, with striking and unusual flowers, in this genus from tropical Africa. Formerly included with the genus Haemanthus, these nine species have been separated out after varied cell structure was identified. In frost-prone climates, grow these bulbs in an intermediate to warm conservatory or greenhouse.

Species

S. multiflorus is a bulbous perennial producing rounded heads of red, summer flowers followed by small, orange berries. Sub-species katherinae has foliage with distinctly wavy margins.

S. puniceus has large basal leaves that form a tall stem of sheathed leaf stalks. In spring or summer, yellow-green to pink or scarlet flowers appear.

Cultivation

In the greenhouse, grow in pots of soil-based potting compost. Plant the bulbs shallowly in autumn, with the necks showing above compost level. Ensure maximum light, but shade plants from direct sun. Water normally when in full growth, but as the leaves start dying, gradually reduce watering, and keep the compost dry while the plants are dormant in autumn and winter. Propagate from offsets when dormant, or from seed sown when ripe and germinated at 21°C (70°F).

Climate

Zone 10.