Fire Lily Cyrtanthus

First described in 1789 by botanist William Alton, Cyrtanthus is a large genus in the Amaryllidaceae family with 55 named varieties that flourish in a wide range of forms and colors.  These South African native perennial bulbs grow in tropical and temperate zones, with their habitats ranging from along streams to dry desert locations. They can even be found growing as epiphytes on other plants.  Within the family, there are summer growing and winter growing varieties with heights from a 4" to a spectacular 30".

Its leafless stem, up to 30", emerges from a partially to fully exposed bulb.  The large bulb, covered with a papery, outer tunic is rounded or somewhat egg-shaped.  Individual bulbs can produce one to several stems, with each stem boasting one to several flowers.  Variety specific, the white, yellow, orange, red, and pink flowers can be scented or unscented and stand erect or hang in a pendent form.

Reproduction is typically accomplished by offsets and bulblets.  The bulblets detach from the bulb to become independent plants while others reproduce by bulbils at the tips of the stolons.  The bulbils can fall to the ground or can be removed by hand.  

After flowering, the leaves will emerge.  Depending on the variety, they can be succulent and narrow to leathery and wide.  A single plant can produce a solitary leaf to up to 16 leaves.  

In the North, allow full AM sun, while in the South, allow 25% shade.  When planting, cover the bulb to a depth of 1 in. (2.5 cm).  Plant one bulb per 5-in. pot.  Injured below 25 degrees F (2 degrees C).

Insects, Diseases and other plant problems: