PlantFiles: Blood Lily
Haemanthus coccineus

Mine shocked me by producing 6 seeds from its very first flowering, mind you it was a good sized (expensive) bulb when I purchased it. The seeds are large and are contained singly in a fleshy pink berry which goes very soft and squishy over several weeks. Eventually they will come away from the flower head when touched. By this time the berry flesh is slimy and watery. I removed all the flesh and washed the seeds under the tap then I left them on the kitchen table for a few weeks. I was amazed to find a root coming from one of them as they sat there and planted them in a sandy seed mix immediately with the seed aril at the side and barely buried. The first leaf appeared about three weeks later.

First saw them growing between a concrete footpath and a concrete retaining wall. Found out what they were and have grown mine in a pot for the last 8 years. Finally they are multipying both along the tuber and by seed. I dont give them any care except to keep the snails away and an occasional light dressing with blood and bone fertilizer. I didn't like the white blood lilys as much, not so showy.

Just discovered what I have in the pot outside!! Its a fantastic bloom. I thought I had killed it when I saw the leaves die away, but then hoorah the blooms have appeared.
Wondering if the flowers are poisonous or not as I have small boy who is very inquisitive? Thanks.

I purchased one of these plants in a mesh sack from one of the "big box" stores. There were no planting directions on the packaging. I should have checked the Plant Files before putting it into the ground. Finding here that this plant is in the Amaryllis Family, and after seeing a Blood Lily potted up at a friend's house, I am now aware that the bulb needs to be at soil level with the top of the bulb out of the dirt.

I planted the Blood Lily in my garden as I would most bulbs and ended up burying it too deep. It grew the first year and made leaves but never bloomed. It has not returned this year. If it makes any sign of growth, I will dig it up and replant it with the top of the bulb protruding from the soil as is customary for any Amaryllis.

There is no info in this Plant Files page for the hardiness Zone range for the Blood Lily. It would be great if someone could add that info for those of us that would like to grow it outdoors instead of growing it as a potted plant.

Jeremy

I have 2 of these plants growing in 15 inch pot. They flower every year and receive very little attention other than water and a handful of blood and bone each year. The flower is about a foot high, almost brush like in appearance, lasts 2-3 weeks in late summer, and then the leaves start to emerge. They grow to about a metre in lenght and about 100mm wide (4ins) Glossy and deep green.
Semi shade seems to suit, hardy and easy to grow in Sydney Australia.

Great bulb that produces huge, red flowers with with a yellow inside. Very expensive. pokerboy.

Georgeous South African bulb that flowers in the fall, followed by thick, strap-like leaves. The flower stems have a really nice red & green pattern to them.