Cyrtanthus elatus
Scarborough-lily · George lily
Description
Source: leafsnapCyrtanthus elatus, commonly known as the Scarlet River Lily or the Fire Lily, is a bulbous perennial plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. Native to South Africa, this plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental due to its striking red flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring. The plant can grow up to 60 cm tall, featuring long, narrow leaves arranged in a rosette at the base of the stem. The flowers, which are borne on tall stalks, have six petals that curve backward, giving them a trumpet-like appearance. These petals are bright red with yellow tips and display prominent stamens at their center. Cyrtanthus elatus thrives in well-drained soil rich in organic matter and requires regular watering during its growing season. It can be propagated by dividing bulbs or sowing seeds. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Cyrtanthus elatus has been traditionally used by indigenous people in South Africa for medicinal purposes, treating various ailments such as fever, coughs, colds, and headaches. Overall, Cyrtanthus elatus is an attractive flowering plant with cultural significance due to its medicinal properties, making it a popular choice among gardeners worldwide.
Care Guide
💧 Water Every 7 days
The Scarborough lily thrives best with balanced moisture, usually requiring watering every 1 to 2 weeks. However, it can tolerate dry conditions. As an evergreen bulb plant, it stores water in its bulbs, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.
☀️ Light Partial sun
The Scarborough lily is native to habitats such as forest understories and rocky areas, where it grows in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate both full sun and full shade, demonstrating its versatile, hardy nature.
What are the sunlight requirements for a Scarborough lily?
Scarborough lily, or Cyrtanthus elatus, requires specific sunlight conditions to thrive optimally. For full sun exposure, it needs above 6 hours of sunlight daily. If it is in partial sun, about 3-6 hours of sunlight is adequate. It's important to observe the way sunlight moves through your garden to find spots that offer an ideal balance of light and shade for your plants. This careful placement ensures the happiness and health of your Scarborough lily.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Scarborough lily is fairly adaptable to temperature, able to withstand higher heat and larger temperature fluctuations. In hot conditions, attention should be paid to watering and providing appropriate shade to avoid sunburn. Conversely, Scarborough lily has relatively weak tolerance for low temperatures; while it can endure some cold, excessively low temperatures can cause frost damage.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize a Scarborough lily is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and begins active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients for healthy development. While Scarborough lily does not require heavy feeding, applying fertilizer once a year can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting blooms.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
The Scarborough lily is a bulbous plant known for its striking tubular blooms. To encourage healthy growth, remove dead leaves and spent flower stalks from early to late spring. This careful pruning not only improves air circulation and reduces the risk of disease but also extends the blooming period, enhancing the overall vitality of the Scarborough lily.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Herb
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Cyrtanthus
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 9-11
- Mature Height
- 61 cm
- Mature Spread
- 40 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Red
- Flower Size
- 6.35 cm to 10.16 cm
- Bloom Time
- Spring, Early summer
- Planting Time
- Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late spring, Summer
- Native Area
- South Africa