Not to worry-no rhizomes like the heliconias. It's a volunteer seedling. I have one under nearby a citrus tree where there is no mulch to stop it's germination. Enjoy it. They don't multiply like rabbits. It will take years for it to bloom. The blood lily has such a unique and beautiful flower. I wish I had more. I have trouble keeping my foliage intact because the lubbers eat them up.

Thanks happy, that makes me happy! :)

If this is the blood lily you have here is more detailed informaion. Linda

Here is a link that might be useful: Lily

The entire plant is toxic to both humans and animals. The plant will bloom within three years from seed. I have always loved this plant and have several. Linda

I love this plant for its uniqueness. I was given one by my mother and it bloomed then it never came back the following year. Mine was in sun. Do they prefer shade or sun?
Felix

Sun to semi shade but it does not like frost or cold. Thy grow almost wild in the panhandle though. Linda

Felix,

Mine is in very early morning sun, then dappled shade most of the day, with full shade in the hottest part of the afternoon, then very late afternoon summer sun. When the sun is lower in the winter, it doesn't get the late afternoon sun.

You'd think this would be ideal growing conditions for many things here, plenty of light but no burning, but I can't grow much in that area. The soil is extremely poor and rocky (because of the excavation for the pool.) It is mulched with sapodilla leaves, so that probably helps. I don't know enough about the blood lily to know if the soil might be why it has thrived, but mine has rebloomed each year for three now, with no help from me. Nasturtiums also love that area and won't bloom where I have better dirt.

Susannah

Can anyone tell me about cutting the bulb to make it put out babies? I read this somewhere, but can't remember where.

I can tell you that I have gotten an amaryllis sliver to make new plants. I think that the blood lily is a corm not a bulb. If it is then I wouldn't cut it.

Hi
Don't yours produce very bright red ,about the size of a large pea ,berries?? I have a bunch of these on the plants right now. Got to be seeds but have never tried them .Is it a single seed or many inside??. Only thing i dislike about the plant is it only flowers once a year.
Certainly is attactive and easy to grow. gary

Plant Facts:

Common Name: African Blood lily, Blood lily

Botanical Name: Scadoxus katharinae

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Plant Type: Large perennial flower from rhizome.

Origin: South Africa

Zones: 8 - 10

Height: to 4'

Rate of Growth: Slow from seed

Salt Tolerance: Low

Soil Requirements: Rich, moist, but well-drained soil

Water Requirements: Medium drought tolerance

Nutritional Requirements: Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, side dressings of composted manure

Light Requirements: Full sun to dappled shade (plants bloom poorly in excessive shade).

Form: Rhizomatous perennial

Leaves: 12" long, rich green, wavy. Plants need winter rest -- leaves may die back to the ground, but no need to lift in Florida

Flowers: Spectacular, showy, red

Fruits: Globe shaped capsule which bursts revealing large seeds.

Pests or diseases: Tolerant of most pests and diseases

Uses: Cut flowers, can be used in beds, low borders, patio pots or planters, ground cover, mass planting, naturalizing, also as indoor house plants

Bad Habits:

Cost: $$ -- Very reasonable

Propagation: Offsets, rhizomes, or by seed

The spectacular flowerhead is a huge spherical umbel consisting of up to 200 brilliant red starry flowers, with a lacy appearance that are held clear of the foliage at the end of a solitary stem. Each plant will produce only one of these 7-8 inche diameter flowerhead in a season.

Individual flowers are a pinkish-orange-red color with protruding stamens, carrying bright yellow anthers. The flowerheads last for about 1 or 2 weeks and make superb cut flowers.

The seed develops in the inferior ovary which is visible as a swelling of the flower stalk below the flower, at the tip of the pedicel. These will swell to form a green berry that will turn scarlet as it ripens. These decorative berries can remain on the plant for up to 2 months.

The bulbs contain Lycorine and other alkaloids and are poisonous if eaten, causing only low toxicity. Symptoms include salivation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

This is a very useful plant for shady gardens, a handsome pot subject for a large container on a shady deck or patio, and as an indoor plant. It looks particularly effective in large groups under trees, where they do not seem to mind competition from tree roots, provided the soil is good.

In colder climates they can be grow outdoors in pots, or planted in the ground after the danger of frost has passed in your area. Pots should be moved indoors, or bulbs must be dug up before winter, and stored indoors.

Scadoxus rootstocks are planted just below the ground and are best left undisturbed in the same position for many years. The soil must be well-drained, rich and light, with plenty of leaf-mould or well-rotted compost. The plants benefit greatly from regular liquid feeding. Water sparingly during the dormant season and well during the growing season.

The seeds can be left on the plant until they start to look a bit wrinkled, and should be sown as soon as they are ripe. Gently rub or peel the pulp off. Using a light well-drained potting mix, gently press the seed into the soil. Do not cover it but leave the tops just visible or level with the soil surface. Keep damp but not waterlogged. Flowers can be expected after the third season.

Scents,

Thanks. The last graf probably explains how it happened. One of the various critters ate the pulp and deposited the seeds a foot or so away. For such a small yard, we have lots of critters. Unfortunately, said critter put them in a bit too much shade I fear. I may leave them for a couple years and see if they bloom. If not, I may need to move them.

Susannah