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Amaryllidaceae
Mexican Lily
Hippeastrum reginae
Dramatic beauty and bold determination.
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Genus
- Hippeastrum
- Native to
- Mexico, South America
- Bloom season
- Winter, Spring
- Type
- bulbous perennial
- Height
- 30–60 cm
- Sunlight
- bright indirect light
- Soil
- rich, well-drained potting mix
- Water
- moderate during growth; dry during dormancy
- Hardiness
- 9–11
- Lifespan
- perennial bulb; decades with care
Did you know
- Often sold as 'amaryllis' during the holidays, Hippeastrum is actually a different genus from true Amaryllis.
- A single bulb can produce two flower stalks, each bearing up to four enormous trumpet-shaped blooms.
- The bulb stores enough energy to bloom even without soil — placed on a shelf, it will still flower.
- Dutch growers produce over 50 million Hippeastrum bulbs annually, mostly for the Christmas gift market.
- After blooming, the strap-shaped leaves photosynthesize for months to recharge the bulb for next year.
Color meanings
Red
passionate admiration
White
elegant purity
Pink
gentle affection