Scarborough Lily Plant Care
Cyrtanthus elatus (Jacq.) Traub
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cyrtanthus elatus, the Scarborough lily, is a bulbous flowering plant which originates from the Cape Province of South Africa. Other common names are fire lily and George lily.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Scarborough Lily?
Water Scarborough 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 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Scarborough Lily Native To?
What Is the Scarborough Lily?
Scarborough Lily (Cyrtanthus elatus) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Cyrtanthus genus. Scarborough Lily is native to the Cape Province of South Africa. Scarborough Lily is also known as Fire Lily, George Lily.
Scarborough Lily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Scarborough Lily produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Scarborough Lily?
Cyrtanthus elatus 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 Scarborough Lily Need?
Scarborough Lily thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Scarborough 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 Scarborough Lily Prefer?
Cyrtanthus elatus grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Scarborough Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Scarborough Lily?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Scarborough Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Scarborough Lily?
Feed Scarborough Lily every 6 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 6 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 Scarborough Lily?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Scarborough Lily?
Scarborough Lily can be propagated through offsets, division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fergusons fire lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Scarborough Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Scarborough Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
It may also be harmful to people if eaten.
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 Scarborough Lily?
Scarborough Lily is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. 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 Scarborough Lily Need?
Scarborough Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Scarborough Lily is native to the Cape Province of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Scarborough Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Scarborough 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 Cyrtanthus genus — compare its care with other Cyrtanthus species on PlantoScan.
Cyrtanthus is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Scarborough 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: Cyrtanthus elatus (Jacq.) Traub, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Pl. Life 25: 48 (1969)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Scarborough Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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