Xela's Garden

About this plant

Species: Haemanthus albiflos.

Fat, succulent leaves with a slight pink infusion are held over green bulbs.

Planted ? Vistabile dining-room

The leaves sit below a curiously attractive, white, tufted flower-head resembling an old-fashioned shaving-brush. This is eventually followed by red berries.

This easy species likes light shade and will take more water than many of the species. Winter flowering.
Plant bulbs so that they are just popping through the compost. Use loam-based compost and position in good light indoors. Apply a liquid fertiliser monthly and water regularly during active growth.

Awards: RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Suggested uses: Conservatory, Greenhouse, Indoor

Soil types: Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage: Well-drained
Soil pH: Alkaline, Neutral

Light: Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect: South
Exposure: Sheltered

Hardiness: Indoor heated (H1)

Source: RHS Garden magazine :-
"These are excellent, undemanding plants for the windowsill or cold glasshouse, generally flowering better when slightly congested in the pot. Use a John Innes No 2 loam-based compost with added grit. Water regularly when in growth and allow to rest when the leaves die back and the plant becomes dormant, but avoid baking them on a sunny windowsill. Can be propogated fairly easily with fresh seed or by simply separating offsets from the bulbs"