Hippeastrum cybister

RHS Plant Profile
tumbler-shaped amaryllis

Synonyms

Amaryllis cybister

Bulbs Herbaceous Perennial

A large almost evergreen perennial bulb. Long strap like green leaves appear after the flowers. More exotic looking flowers,long thin spidery petals,splashes of colour of dark reds,green,orange,pink and creamy white. Larger bulbs can produce up to three or four stems

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Hippeastrum are deciduous bulbous perennials with slightly fleshy, strap-shaped leaves and stout, leafless stems bearing umbels of large, funnel-shaped flowers usually in winter or spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Bolivia to Argentina

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant bulbs in the autumn with the neck and shoulder above the soil surface. Grow in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost. Water sparingly until in active growth, water regulary when in growth and feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid feed. After flowering, reduce the watering as the leaves die off. Keep dry when dormant. This hippeastrum can also be planted in a dry, sunny border but will need winter protection. See hippeastrum cultivation and bulbs for Christmas flowering for further information

Propagation

Propagate seed as soon as they are ripe. Keep seedlings growing without a dormant period to encourage early flowering. bulbs will take between three and five years to flower. Remove bulb offsets in the autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Cut back flowering stems as they go over. Cut back leaves as they go yellow, when bulb is going into dormancy

Pests

May be susceptible to bulb scale mite, large narcissus bulb fly and slugs and snails throughout the summer months

Diseases

May be susceptible to various fungal diseases