This bulbous perennial has upright to lax green long lanced-shaped leaves and forms a clump. The large red or crimson trumpet-shaped flowers appear in a cluster high above the foliage on a stout stem during spring.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11

Hippeastrum vittatum is naturally found in Peru, South America growing in tropical and subtropical regions. It prefers a well drained organic rich moist fertile light loamy soil with a pH range from 6.5 to 7.5 and grows in an open sunny wind protected position and is frost and drought tender.

Hippeastrum is grown for its colourful flowers and clumping habit. It is planted along garden borders in small or cottage gardens or mass planted for bedding displays. It is also grown in pots and tubs and used indoors use when in flower. The flowers are used in floral arrangements and when planting out space the plants 150mm to 200mm (7ľ in) apart and protect exposed bulbs from frost.

Note:
Care should be taken as plant parts may cause a stomach upset if ingested.

Hippeastrum (hi-pee-ĂS-trum) vittatum (vi-tah-tum)

'Hippeastrum': from Greek hippeus + astron - a knight's star; 'vittatum': striped or branded.

Amaryllidaceae(AM-ar-ee-LEE-da-AY-see-ee)