Photo: Jonathan Juan Chancasana VillacortaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Belladonna Lily Plant Care
Amaryllis belladonna L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Amaryllis belladonna, the Jersey lily, belladonna-lily, naked-lady-lily, or March lily, is a plant species native to Cape Province in South Africa but widely cultivated as an ornamental. It is reportedly naturalized in many places: Corsica, Portugal, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Scilly Isles of Great Britain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ascension Island, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Chile, California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Indiana and the Juan Fernández Islands.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Belladonna Lily?
Water Belladonna Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Belladonna Lily Native To?
What Is the Belladonna Lily?
Belladonna Lily (Amaryllis belladonna) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Amaryllis genus. Belladonna Lily is native to Cape Province in South Africa. Belladonna Lily is also known as Naked Lady, Jersey Lily, March Lily.
Belladonna Lily displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Belladonna Lily produces large, showy trumpet-shaped blooms in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Belladonna Lily?
Amaryllis belladonna requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Belladonna Lily Need?
Belladonna Lily thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Belladonna Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Belladonna Lily Prefer?
Amaryllis belladonna grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Belladonna Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Belladonna Lily?
Well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Belladonna Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Belladonna Lily?
Feed Belladonna Lily every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Belladonna Lily?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Belladonna Lily?
Belladonna Lily can be propagated through offsets, seeds.
Is the Belladonna Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Amaryllis species (which includes Belladonna Lily). View the ASPCA entry
Toxic to cats and dogs, mildly toxic to humans
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Belladonna Lily?
Belladonna Lily is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Belladonna Lily Need?
Belladonna Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Belladonna Lily is native to Cape Province in South Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Belladonna Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Amaryllis genus — compare its care with other Amaryllis species on PlantoScan.
Amaryllis is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Belladonna Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Amaryllis belladonna L., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 293 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Amaryllis species (which includes Belladonna Lily) as toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Jonathan Juan Chancasana Villacorta, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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