Amaryllis
Hippeastrum hybrids
Also called Hippeastrum and Knight's star lily
Houseplant · FloweringAfter it flowers, feed the leaves all summer — that is what builds next winter's bloom.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 8 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Bright, some direct sun
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Tender — no frost at all RHS H2, to 1°C
- Size
- 0.6 m tall · 0.3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- South America
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea; eating a lot causes convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors and an irregular heartbeat. The bulbs are the most poisonous part.
PeopleHarmful if eaten
The bulb above all.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-07-31.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- A crimson streak running up out of the neck of the bulb onto a new leaf or the flower stalk, before any spot appears higher up.Red blotch · disease
- Leaves keep coming through late autumn with no dry rest — the bulb needs eight weeks cold and dry before it will set a stalk.All leaf and no flower · disorder