Hippeastrum papilio

RHS Plant Profile
butterfly amaryllis

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butterfly amaryllis RHS

Synonyms

Hippeastrum 'Papillio'
Hippeastrum 'Papillon'
Hippeastrum papilio 'Butterfly'
Amaryllis papilio

Conservatory Greenhouse Bulbs Houseplants
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A robust species producing abundant leafy growth. Flowers are borne 2 or 3 to a stem, to 50cm tall, and have distinctive colouring, the greenish-white tepals strongly streaked and edged with dark red. The lower pair of tepals, widely spread and pointed, suggesting the "butterfly" specific name. This is potentially an evergreen species, unless grown with managed dormancy, and may flower twice a year, in spring and autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
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
S Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Pot newly purchased bulbs from October to January, large bulbs in a 15cm container, smaller ones in a 10cm container, planting so that two-thirds of the bulb remains above the surface and watering in well. The appearance of leaves will signify that root activity has started and regular watering can begin. A good supply of water is required as soon as growth becomes vigorous. A warm buoyant atmosphere with a temperature ideally in the region of 15-18°C and a sunny position are desirable for good growth. Exposure to the sun should be avoided only in the hottest part of summer. See hippeastrum cultivation and bulbs for Christmas flowering for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as fresh as possible in a temperature of 16-18°C. Seeds can be started in peat-free seed compost and seedlings potted on using peat-free John Innes No 2 with the addition of extra sharp sand or grit. Grow in individual small pots, potting on periodically during the spring-summer season of vigorous growth into slightly larger pots as the young plants develop or each time the pot becomes well filled with roots. Keep plants growing actively, in moderate warmth, allowing no periods of dormancy. Cultivars will not come true from seed; an alternative method of propagation is to remove offsets in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free