Hymenocallis

Family Amaryllidaceae. Native to South America. There are about 50 species in the wild. Many species that have become common as houseplants differ somewhat in their cultivation requirements. Most of them do not lose their leaves during the dormancy period.

Hymenocallis caribaea - Caribbean Hymenocallis - a perennial bulbous plant. Bulb about 10 cm in diameter, completely underground. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, dark green, up to 90 cm long and about 7 cm wide. Scape leafless, about 50-60 cm long, inflorescence an umbel of 3-5 flowers. The perianth is fused at the base with six lobes extending as long segments up to 7 cm. Stamens fused for half their length, forming a structure resembling the corona of a narcissus. Anthers dark orange. Flowers fragrant. Blooms throughout the winter

Temperature: During the growing season the optimum is 17-20°C. During dormancy the bulbs of the "pleasant" Hymenocallis are stored at 10°C in dry conditions. Species that do not shed their leaves during dormancy are kept at around 14°C.

Light: Hymenocallis are more light-loving than other amaryllids, so they only require shading during the hottest hours of summer.

Watering: Heavy during flowering - the soil should remain moist at all times. During dormancy watering is very limited. With insufficient moisture the leaves lose turgor and become limp. However, overwatering is detrimental to Hymenocallis.

Fertilization: Once every two to three weeks with a liquid mineral fertilizer for flowering houseplants, diluted to the concentration recommended by the manufacturer. Begin feeding as soon as young leaves appear and stop when the plant has finished flowering.

Air humidity: If the plant is in a room with dry air, you can lightly mist it from above. Do not spray the flowers or leaves, nor the bulbs during dormancy.

Repotting: Approximately every 3-4 years, during the dormancy period. Soil: 2 parts clay-sod soil, 1 part leaf mould, 1 part humus, 1 part peat and 1 part sand.

Propagation: By daughter bulbs at repotting, and by seeds. Since Hymenocallis produces offsets reluctantly, it is often propagated by dividing the bulb into four parts.