Hippeastrum × johnsonii

RHS Plant Profile

Johnson's amaryllis

Bulbs

A clump-forming, bulbous perennial to 60cm high, with semi-evergreen, strappy deep green leaves that can flush bronze when grown in strong sunlight. Produces clusters of slightly fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers on upright stems in spring, with bright scarlet petals with white streaks down the centres

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 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: 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): H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass or in containers that can be moved indoors over winter. Plant bulbs in autumn with the neck and shoulders above the soil surface, in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. See hippeastrum cultivation and bulbs for Christmas flowering for further information

Propagation

Propagate by division, removing bulb offsets in autumn, or propagate by seed sown as fresh as possible, at 16-18°C (61-64°F). Keep young plants growing actively, in moderate warmth, allowing no periods of dormancy

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

After flowering, cut spent flower stems down to the base

Pests

May be susceptible to bulb scale mite and large narcissus bulb fly

Diseases

May be susceptible to various fungal diseases