Haemanthus albiflos Ø 12

The evergreen paintbrush lily

Haemanthus albiflos is one of the most unusual, elegant, and collectible bulbous plants in the world. Native to South Africa, it stands out for its large, fleshy, broad, opposite leaves with a velvety texture that resembles an “ox tongue“. Unlike many other Haemanthus species, this one is evergreen and retains its charm all year round.

Between autumn and winter, it puts on a spectacular bloom: a compact umbel inflorescence made of a multitude of white stamens with golden tips, resembling a real shaving brush. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family, but behaves almost like a succulent, storing water both in its large bulb (which tends to grow partially exposed above the surface) and in its thick leaves. After flowering, if pollinated, the flowers turn into decorative, globular bright red berries that last for months on the plant.

Growing notes:

• Light: thrives in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct hot sun, which can scorch the leaves. In winter, give it as much light as possible.
• Watering: water moderately – the bulb hates waterlogging. In spring‑summer, water when the topsoil feels dry; in autumn‑winter, reduce drastically and let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
• Soil type: use a well‑draining mix for succulents or bulbs (e.g., 2 parts potting soil + 1 part coarse sand or perlite). Choose a shallow but wide pot to accommodate the bulb, which likes to sit “exposed”.
• Fertilising: from March to September, apply a liquid fertiliser for bulbs or cacti, diluted to half strength, every 15‑20 days. Stop in autumn and winter.
• Flowers & fun facts: flowering occurs in winter (October to January). The flowers are hermaphroditic and, if pollinated by flies or ants (in the wild), they produce ornamental red berries. Caution: all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
• Extra trivia: in South Africa it is called “Paintbrush lily“. It can live for decades in the same pot and is easily propagated by dividing the side bulbils.

Not grafted
Code 1708