Belladonna lily
Amaryllis belladonna · Amaryllidaceae
📷 JonRichfield · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Bulbes riches en alcaloïdes (lycorine); ingestion enfant/chien/chat provoque vomissements graves, diarrhée, malaise cardiaque.
The gardener's calendar
Belladonna lily is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Amaryllis belladonna
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Type
- Perennial bulb
- Adult height
- 24 to 31 inches
- Flowering
- August and September
- Foliage
- Deciduous, disappears before flowering
- Ideal exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Temperate to warm zones, frost-sensitive
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Amaryllis belladonna is a drought-loving bulb that only flowers if it rests dry in summer (July-August): stop all watering from June onwards.
The common mistake
Watering regularly year-round: this can weaken flowering and rot the bulbs.
The pro's trick
Plant at the base of a dry stone wall or on a well-draining slope; drastically limit water in summer.
Care
Exposure and climate
Place your amaryllis in full sun, ideally in a location protected from cold. This plant loves heat and dreads prolonged frost. In cold regions, grow it in a pot so you can bring it indoors for winter, or wait until June to plant it in the ground after all frost risk has passed.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, then reduce watering after flowering. In winter, practice complete dry dormancy: excess water can rot the bulb. Wait until spring to resume moderate watering.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-draining soil, rich in organic matter and slightly sandy. The bulb should be half-buried, with the neck protruding above the soil. In a pot, use bulb-specific potting mix mixed with sand to ensure optimal drainage.
Nutrition and fertilizer
Apply a balanced, nitrogen-low fertilizer as soon as growth starts in spring. A potassium-rich fertilizer promotes beautiful blooms. Stop all feeding after September to respect the plant's dormancy.
Pruning and maintenance
Remove spent flowers by cutting just below the corolla. Let the foliage dry naturally before removing it, as it replenishes the bulb's reserves. Clean away dead leaves in autumn to prevent disease.
Diseases and pests
Watch for bulb rot caused by excessive moisture. Spider mites can attack in dry conditions; regular misting helps prevent them. Remove affected bulbs to prevent spread.
Did you know?
Amaryllis belladonna is named after Belladona, a young girl from Greek mythology, in reference to its spectacular beauty. Native to South Africa, it's also called the 'Guernsey Lily' because it was introduced to Europe via the island of Guernsey in the 19th century. Particularly fascinating: its flowers often bloom without foliage, creating the illusion of a miraculous flowering emerging directly from bare soil.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.