Scadoxus puniceus
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Scadoxus puniceus

Royal-paintbrush · Snake lily · Blood lily · Paintbrush lily · African blood lily

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 8–11
Click count
93
Observations
58

Description

Source: leafsnap

Scadoxus puniceus, commonly known as the paintbrush lily, is a species of bulbous plant. It is native to much of southern and eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), and South Africa (the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and the Northern Provinces). Scadoxus puniceus can be found in cool, shady habitat such as ravines and forests, where it is often found in moist leaf litter. Other common names include snake lily, royal paintbrush, King-of-Candida, African blood lily (English), rooikwas (Afrikaans), isisphompho, and umgola (Zulu). There are nine species of Scadoxus of which three, S. puniceus, S. multiflorus (with 2 subspecies) and S.membranaceus, occur in South Africa.

Care Guide

💧 Water

The paintbrush lily, originally from African forests, thrives in consistently moist conditions but can withstand moderate drought. Water it every 1–2 weeks, taking humidity into account. This plant is well-suited for indoor cultivation and flourishes with higher humidity levels, which encourage vibrant blooms and lush foliage.

☀️ Light Full sun

The paintbrush lily grows best when exposed to a substantial amount of light, resembling the conditions of its native habitat. Its development is ideal in settings with plenty of light, though it can tolerate less sunny conditions. Both excessive and insufficient light can interfere with its healthy growth, impacting leaf color and flowering.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

The paintbrush lily is native to warm climates and generally thrives in temperatures between 59 and 100 °F (15 to 38 °C). Care adjustments may be required during seasons with extreme temperatures to ensure its survival.

Ideal temperature: 15–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Proper fertilization is essential for the Paintbrush lily's health and appearance. Fertilize the Paintbrush lily in summer, repeating the application monthly during the season. Nutrients provide energy for growth and help maintain the plant's parts. Fertilizing the Paintbrush lily improves its floral display, ensuring the best blooms.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

The paintbrush lily boasts vibrant, brush-like flowers and requires minimal pruning, primarily in early to late spring, after it has finished blooming. To encourage healthier growth, remove any dead leaves; this will enhance air circulation, reduce the risk of disease, and promote denser foliage along with robust flowers.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Scadoxus
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
46 cm to 61 cm
Mature Spread
46 cm to 61 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Red
Flower Size
15.24 cm
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring
Planting Time
Spring
Harvest Time
Summer
Native Area
Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Sudan, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Botswana, Zimbabwe

Tags (5)

Common Names (6)

en Royal-paintbrush
en Snake lily
en Blood lily
en Paintbrush lily
en African blood lily
en Red paintbrush