Habranthus

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Common Name: Rain Lily

These flowering bulbs from temperate areas of South America can be confused with some species of Hippeastrum. They grow to 30 cm (12 in), with delicate pink, yellow or red flow­ers and strap-like foliage. Most produce their funnel-shaped flowers in summer and autumn.

Species

H. brachyandrus, to 30 cm (12 in), has a solitary, delicate pink flower, ribbed in deep reddish purple.

H. robustus has widely flaring, funnel-shaped flowers in light rose pink which appear with or just after the leaves. The flowers are produced one per stem. This species, from Brazil, grows to about 30 cm (12 in).

H. tubis­pathus, from South America, grows to a height of 20 cm (8 in). The red and brown, funnel-shaped flowers are deep yellow inside.

Cultivation

If regular hard frosts occur, grow in a cool conservatory or greenhouse, in pots of soil-based compost. Plant in spring, 10 cm (4 in) deep. Provide maximum light. When bulbs are dormant, keep compost only slightly moist. Outdoors, grow in well-drained soil in full sun and plant bulbs shallowly so that the necks show above ground level. Propagate from offsets.

Climate

Zone 9 (warner parts).