How to Cultivate and Care for Cyrtanthus

Derived from the Greek words ‘kyrtos’ (meaning curved) and ‘anthos’ (meaning flower), these true bulbs produce charming tubular blooms (sometimes with a sweet scent) and are rich in nectar. Thus, adored by bees.

Discover how to cultivate and care for Cyrtanthus with our guide to growing this indigenous gem in your garden, your way.

Part of the indigenous Amaryllidaceae family, the large genus Cyrtanthus comprises over 50 South African species that thrive in an incredible range of habitats — from damp, bushy riverbanks and open grasslands to arid, rocky crevices, snowy mountain slopes, and even as epiphytes growing upon other plants. Many species remain rare in cultivation, as each has specific needs for dormancy and watering that make them challenging to grow outside their natural environment — often surviving only in the wild or in the hands of dedicated specialists. Fortunately, several species have adapted beautifully to suburban gardens, allowing us to enjoy their unique charm closer to home.

Cyrtanthus for all Seasons 

Some Cyrtanthus species are evergreen such as C. mackenii and C. elatus while others prefer to keep it exclusive and show off in winter only! C. falcatus, C. breviflorus, and C. galpinii— bloom mostly in summer. They’re delightfully undemanding garden guests, happy to thrive in beds or containers with just a bit of morning sun, some light afternoon shade to escape the blazing heat, and a weekly splash of water during their growing season. Easy as that! Tough as old boots yet elegant as ever, they’ll reward you year after year — and when they’ve made themselves a little too comfortable, you can divide their clumps every five years or so to create even more plants (because sharing is caring, after all).

Tips for Cultivating Cyrtanthus 

On the whole, they like a long, steady, moderate to warm growing season, in an area that isn’t prone to sudden shock of very cold periods. Water freely when they’re in active growth and flowering, and once flowering is over and their growth slows down, so too should the watering, keeping them just damp enough to keep going. 

How to Plant Cyrtanthus in Containers

They love a rich, organic-growing medium, whether in a bed or container, and prefer a lightly shaded spot with morning sun and afternoon relief from the heat. Like many of their Amaryllidaceae cousins, plant them with the bulb necks slightly proud — they like to peek out and show they mean business. Then, you can space them 5cm apart. Water them well weekly, and sit back to enjoy their blooms — your garden’s very own showstopper! The key is not to overwater — if the plant looks glum, check the soil before assuming it needs a drink.

Let them form generous clumps for at least five years, only separating them when they start getting a bit too cosy, as they’re not fans of being disturbed.

More About Different Species of Cyrtanthus 

One of the easiest Cyrtanthus to get going in the garden is C. mackenii — a real show-off in the summer months. She sports narrow, lance-shaped leaves and elegant, slender flowers, usually pure white, though var. Cooperi can show off in creamy yellow, and every now and then you might spot a rebellious pink one. Fully grown, the plants reach a modest 20–40cm, with flowers about 5cm long — just the right size to dazzle without taking over your garden. 

The Yellow Fire Lily, Cyrtanthus breviflorus, boasts the widest distribution of any Cyrtanthus in Africa. Growing between 25–45cm tall, it displays creamy-yellow, star-like, bell-shaped flowers that mostly appear from spring through summer — though some adventurous plants might bloom year-round. This small grassland bulb is perfect as a filler in a grassland-inspired flower bed, especially when planted en masse for maximum impact.

Evergreen and hardy, she features bright-green, strap-shaped leaves and thrives in full sun, though she is perfectly happy in semi-shade too. This resilient little gem can be propagated from seed or by separating offsets from the main bulb in spring, right after flowering. Just make sure to plant the offsets immediately — these little ones aren’t fans of waiting around!

Cyrtanthus elatus, commonly known as the Scarborough lily, is a favourite in the horticultural world — not only for her value as a parent in hybrid development, but also for her stunning, large red or pink flowers, the biggest of all Cyrtanthus species. The name, elatus, perfectly captures how the flower heads are elegantly elevated above the leaves.

This evergreen beauty grows 40–60 cm tall in flower, with arching, broad, deep-green strap-shaped leaves. Each bulb can produce one to several hollow flower stems, each topped with umbels of 2–10 widely funnel-shaped blooms featuring oblong-oval tepals in shades of deep red, scarlet, rose-pink — and occasionally white.

Versatile and showy, C. elatus thrives in containers, on window sills or patios, and in the garden. She prefers a sheltered yet well-ventilated, frost-free spot, making her a true star wherever she is planted.

Cyrtanthus falcatus is a deciduous charmer, instantly recognisable by her quirky ‘shepherd’s crook’ flower stem and long, arching leaves. Come winter to early spring, the flower buds emerge alongside fresh foliage. A striking maroon stem shoots up to around 30cm before curving gracefully at the top, producing up to ten pale yellowish-green flowers with delicate reddish-pink margins on each inflorescence.

This species is remarkably easy to grow and deserves a spot in more gardens. She thrives in containers — hanging baskets or shallow to deep pots (around 30–35cm in diameter work perfectly). Water generously every seven to ten days, until the leaves begin to yellow and die back in autumn. During late autumn and winter, keep the soil mostly dry, although the bulbs can tolerate a little moisture as long as the medium is sharply drained. A fuss-free, whimsical addition to any garden!

How to Protect Your Bulbs from Party Poopers 

Other than overwatering, there are a few garden creatures to keep an eye on. In the Cape, mole rats can be a real headache, as they love snacking on bulbs — if your garden is prone to them, consider lining your planting holes with chicken wire to keep them at bay. You can also try this handy tool that does not harm them: https://hadeco.co.za/collections/pest-control/products/solar-mole-repeller-animal-friendly

Then there’s the lily borer, or amaryllis caterpillar, which hides under leaves. Check your plants every day or so for eggs or caterpillars and remove them by hand immediately.

If you spot mealybugs munching on the bulbs or leaf bases, try spraying with neem oil. When in doubt, your local garden centre or nursery can recommend a specialised treatment. Think of it as a gentle game of garden detective!

The most important thing when growing Cyrtanthus is knowing your species, as this determines the watering procedure, which is critical to successful cultivation. So double check on whether you’re cultivating an evergreen or deciduous one and grow from there.

Happy gardening — may your Cyrtanthus thrive and keep you smiling!