Amaryllis belladonna in the ground

Credit: Leonora Enking

Amaryllis belladonna in pot

Credit: Cart F. Bagge

Pink flower Amaryllis belladonna

Credit: S.F. bay walk

Amaryllis belladonna bulb

Credit: Auckland museum

Amaryllis belladonna flower

Credit: Bidgee

Amaryllis belladonna, Cape Amaryllis

Amaryllis belladonna is a plant of the Amaryllidaceae family native to South Africa. Botanically, it is one of the only recognized species of Amaryllis. The other varieties often sold under the name Amaryllis belong to the Hippeastreum genus. Although their large flowers are similar, there is one detail that sets them apart.

How to recognize Amaryllis belladonna?

Amaryllis belladonna is a geophytic plant with a bushy habit and deciduous foliage. It reaches a height of 75 centimetres and a width of 20 centimetres.

Each rounded, brown bulb can give rise to two or three stems.

Flowering occurs in late summer and autumn. The flowering stem supports umbels of five to fifteen horn-shaped flowers. Each flower measures around ten centimetres. Fragrant and melliferous, they are pink, white or dark pink.

The ribboned leaves measure up to 40 centimetres long. Bright green, they develop after flowering and last until late spring.

This characteristic distinguishes plants of the Amaryllis genus from those of the Hippeastrum genus, often mistakenly called Amaryllis (Hippeastrum x hortotum, also known as Florist's amaryllis, and Hippeastrum papilio, also known as Amaryllis butterfly ). Hippeastrum has evergreen foliage, with the leaves appearing on the stem at the same time as the flowers.

Amaryllis belladonna is toxic if swallowed. Keep your plant out of the reach of your pets, especially your cat.

Our maintenance tips

Amaryllis belladonna are easy to care for. They only fear excess watering during the dormant period. In summer, reduce watering and do not fertilize.

Watering

As daylight hours and temperatures drop into spring, your plant needs special watering.

Amaryllis belladonna thrive in a substrate that remains moist. Water when the soil is three centimeters dry. Pour in non-calcareous water, such as rainwater, at room temperature.

Drain any water that collects in the dish or planter. It will rot the roots.

During the rest of the year, adjust the watering of your Amaryllis belladonna.

Your Amaryllis belladonna tolerates thirst better than excess water. Water only when the soil is three to five centimeters dry. Choose moderate rather than heavy watering, and always use non-calcareous water at room temperature.

If you use a planter or saucer, drain off any stagnant water. It can rot the roots.

Repotting

You'll need a drilled pot at least 25 centimetres in diameter to plant your Amaryllis belladonna. Choose one that's wider than it is tall, so that the plant is stable.

Fill the pot with a light, rich mixture, such as potting soil for flowering plants or leaf soil with sand. Plant your bulb. The tip should point upwards and be flush with the surface.

Water lightly to settle the soil and encourage contact between bulb and soil.

Fertilization

Apply a liquid fertilizer for bulbous plants to help your Amaryllis belladonna replenish its reserves.

Prune

When the flowers have faded, cut the flowering stem flush with the ground. Use a clean, sharp tool, such as secateurs.

Don't touch the leaves straight away. Amaryllis belladonna need them to replenish their reserves. Wait until they are completely dry before removing them.

Plantation

Dig a hole slightly larger and deeper than your bulb. Plant your bulb ten or fifteen centimetres deep. The tip should face the sky and the round part towards the ground. The collar should be flush with the surface.

Fill your planting hole with a mixture of potting soil, sand and garden soil. Water generously to remove air bubbles and encourage rooting.

Cutting

Cutting takes place in autumn.

Dig up your Amaryllis belladonna plant. Use a spade if necessary, but dig carefully to avoid damaging the root system. Pick clumps with healthy roots and several branches.

Obtain a perforated pot approximately 25 centimetres in diameter. Place a layer of light, rich substrate at the bottom. You could, for example, use a mixture of horticultural compost and sand.

Plant your Amaryllis belladonna, pointing skywards. The collar should be flush with the surface. Add substrate to fill the hole and water toencourage contact between the bulb and the soil.

Diseases / Threats

Whiteflies

Red spiders

Slugs

Information

Family	Amaryllidaceae - Amaryllidaceae
Type	Amaryllis - Amaryllis
Species	Amaryllis belladonna - Amaryllis belladonna
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Deciduous
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Bulb Flowery
Tags	Flowery Toxic
Origin	South Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	10b
Leaf color
Flower colors