Haemanthus are a diverse and fascinating genus of 22 species. Their large fleshy leaves and strikingly beautiful flowers make them extremely popular among collectors and gardeners. A few species occur in the summer rainfall region of South Africa but most species are winter growers from the Western and Northern Cape. The winter growing species are best grown in large pots and require a well-drained sandy mix with a generous layer of compost at the bottom of the pot. The summer growing evergreen species enjoy a well-composted growing medium and a shady position.
Name | Haemanthus albiflos | |
Common name | White paint brush | |
African name | uzeneke (z) | |
D/E | evergreen | |
Rainfall | summer | |
Height | 30cm | |
Light requirements | s | |
Flowers | May | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus amarylloides sp. polyanthus | |
Common name | Namaqua paint brush | |
African name | ||
D/E | Deciduous | |
Rainfall | Winter | |
Height | 30cm | |
Light requirements | full sun | |
Flowers | April | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus carneus | |
Common name | Pink paint brush | |
African name | ||
D/E | deciduous | |
Rainfall | summer | |
Height | 40cm | |
Light requirements | ss | |
Flowers | January | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus coccineus | |
Common name | April fool | |
African name | ||
D/E | deciduous | |
Rainfall | winter | |
Height | 30cm | |
Light requirements | ss | |
Flowers | April | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus deformis | |
Common name | Dwarf haemanthus | |
African name | uzeneke (z) | |
D/E | evergreen | |
Rainfall | summer | |
Height | 10cm | |
Light requirements | s | |
Flowers | July | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus humilis | |
Common name | Rabbits ear | |
African name | sekitla (ss) | |
D/E | deciduous | |
Rainfall | summer | |
Height | 30cm | |
Light requirements | ss | |
Flowers | November | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus humilis giant | |
Common name | Rabbits ear | |
African name | sekitla (ss) | |
D/E | deciduous | |
Rainfall | summer | |
Height | 40cm | |
Light requirements | semi-shade | |
Flowers | January | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus humilis sp. hirsutus | |
Common name | Rabbits ear | |
African name | sekitla (ss) | |
D/E | deciduous | |
Rainfall | summer | |
Height | 30cm | |
Light requirements | ss | |
Flowers | December | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus montanus | |
Common name | Mountain haemanthus | |
African name | ||
D/E | deciduous | |
Rainfall | summer | |
Height | 40cm | |
Light requirements | ss | |
Flowers | December | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus paucifolius | |
Common name | Dwarf haemanthus | |
African name | ||
D/E | evergreen | |
Rainfall | summer | |
Height | 20cm | |
Light requirements | s | |
Flowers | December | |
Medicinal uses |
Name | Haemanthus sanguineus | |
Common name | Blood lily | |
African name | ||
D/E | deciduous | |
Rainfall | winter | |
Height | 30cm | |
Light requirements | fs | |
Flowers | April | |
Medicinal uses |