Shaving brush plants are not uncommon in cultivation, but there is more diversity within the genus than is often appreciated.
Haemanthus is a genus of bulbous plants in the amaryllis family, from southern Africa. All have thick leathery leaves which usually emerge in pairs. The flowers, from which conspicuous bright yellow anthers project, are clustered together on short stems, surrounded by large bracts of the same colour, giving a brush-like appearance.
Haemanthus albiflos with white flowers and up to six evergreen leaves, is most common in cultivation. Recently introduced H. pauculifolius has similar flowers but produces only one leaf at a time. Haemanthus humilis has soft hairy leaves appearing in autumn with the white or pink flowers; H. coccineus is perhaps the most striking, with large, scarlet flowers in early spring produced before the smooth leaves.
How to grow Haemanthus
These are all excellent, undemanding plants for the windowsill or cold glasshouse, generally flowering better when slightly congested in the pot. Use a John Innes No 2 loam-based compost with added grit. Water regularly when in growth and allow to rest when the leaves die back and the plant becomes dormant, but avoid baking them on a sunny windowsill.
Haemanthus can be propagated fairly easily from fresh seed or by simply separating offsets from the bulbs.
Further information
Find a nursery that stocks these cultivars in the online Plant Finder