Amaryllis belladonna aka Easter Lily
Taxonomy
Amaryllis belladonna, also known as the Jersey lily, belladonna-lily, naked-lady-lily, or March lily, is a bulbous perennial native to Cape Province in South Africa. Widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, it has naturalized in various locations such as Corsica, Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira. This fragrant flower features erect stems with umbels of funnel-shaped, pink to pale purple flowers that can reach up to 10cm in length. The blooms appear in autumn before the narrowly strap-shaped leaves emerge. With various names like Belladonna Lily, Jersey Lily, or March Lily, this South African beauty is drought-tolerant, often found growing among rocks. The stem, ranging from purple to green, can reach heights of 2-3 feet. The trumpet-shaped flowers come in white, yellow, red, or pink, and their prominent fragrance is often used in perfumes. The blooming period can last for several weeks or even months.
Common names
Easter Lily, Belladonna Lily, Naked LadiesHow to care for Easter Lily
Difficulty
With its straightforward care requirements, Easter Lily is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.
Water
Easter Lily should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Easter Lily loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Easter Lily thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Naked Ladies.
Toxicity
Easter Lily is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Fertilizer
Once the Easter Lily has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
The Easter Lily displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.
More info:
Wikipedia
