Fire Lily Hippeastrum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Fire Lily:
- Phonetic Spelling
- hip-ee-AY-strum
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Amaryllis are perennial herbaceous bulbs in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They are native to Central America and South America and grow 1 to 3 feet tall and up to 1 foot wide. There are over 100 species and hundreds of cultivars. Please note that the common name Amaryllis is applied both to Hippeastrum species, which are the commonly cultivated bulbs discussed here, and to the genus Amaryllis, which is less commonly cultivated (and comprises only two species native to South Africa).
Amaryllis grow best in full sun or partial shade and in soil high in organic matter and moist but with good drainage. They tolerate drought but need moisture during the active growing season. When planting, bury only half the bulb below the surface with the narrow part of the bulb (the “neck”) well above the soil line. Bulbs may be started indoors in early spring and moved outside for late spring to early summer bloom. Propagate amaryllis by division or seeds. Note that plants are injured at temperatures below 35 degrees F. They can, however, survive the winter outdoors in zones 7 and 8 if properly mulched. In zones below 7, amaryllis bulbs are grown as houseplants for a pop of color during the winter holidays. Pot them between midautumn and late winter for bloom approximately five weeks later.
Amaryllis bulbs need a dormant period of recovery and rejuvenation after bloom. Remove flower stalks but leave the foliage intact to wither on its own. Reduce watering. When the foliage turns brown, remove it. If the plants are being grown outdoors, add a layer of mulch 2 or 3 inches deep. If the plants are being grown indoors, move them to a cool (50 to 55 degrees F), semi-dark location to rest. Let them be dormant for 8 to 10 weeks. To restart the growth cycle, move plants to a well-lit, warm (70 to 75 degrees F) location and resume watering.
The large, showy blooms of amaryllis last for three to four weeks making them great for use in borders, cutting gardens, as specimens or garden accents, and as houseplants.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Mealybugs are occasional visitors. Watch for snails and slugs if plants are outdoors.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Voodoo'
Red Petels with yellow center streaks
- 'Voodoo'
- 'Voodoo'
- Tags:






















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Voodoo'
Red Petels with yellow center streaks
- 'Voodoo'
- 'Voodoo'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hippeastrum
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and South America
- Bulb Storage:
- Mulch during the winter in zones 7-8.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit forms a trivalve capsule containing seeds which are dry, flattened, obliquely winged.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Umbel with two or more flowers per stem. Blooms last 3-4 weeks. Flower color includes spotting or banding. Each inflorescence has 2 or more flowers and each flower is 5 to 8 inches across; the species are usually purple or red. The perianth has six brightly colored tepals (three outer sepals and three inner petals) that may be similar in appearance or very different. The perianth segments are subequal or unequal. The tepals are united at the base to form a short tube, usually with a rudimentary scaly paraperigonium with fimbriae or a callose ridge present at the throat.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large, 12 to 24-inch, strap-shaped green leaves begin to grow at about the time the flowers open. Leaves may reach 12-24 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- stout-but-hollow leafless flowering stems (scapes) grow 12-18” tall
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Toxic if eaten in large quantities. Vomiting, salvation, diarrhea; large ingestions cause convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias. Bulbs are the most poisonous part. Especially harmful to pets.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloid lycorine
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Stems