Scadoxus multiflorus

RHS Plant Profile

blood flower

RHS

Other common names

imperial flower

Synonyms

Haemanthus multiflorus

Conservatory Greenhouse

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A bulbous perennial, to 1m tall, with broad lance-shaped to oval leaves, up to 45cm long, forming a "stem" of sheathed leaf stalks. In summer produces spherical flowerheads, 10-25cm across, of up to 200 narrow-petalled, red flowers with long stamens, followed by small orange berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–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): H1B

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: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Scadoxus are bulbous, rhizomatous, usually evergreen perennials, with spirally arranged, lance-shaped or ovate leaves and erect stems bearing terminal umbels of showy red flowers sometimes with colourful bracts, followed by red to yellow berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Arabia, Tropical Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant bulbs in late winter or early spring, with necks at soil level, in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould and grit. Grow under glass in full light with shade from hot sun. Flowering will be prolonged if light levels are reduced when the buds open. Water freely when in growth and apply a dilute balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep just moist when dormant and do not pot on regularly as flowering is best when congested

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe and germinate at 19-24°C. Remove offsets in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free