Fire Lily Plant Care
Cyrtanthus ventricosus Willd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cyrtanthus ventricosus, commonly called fire lily, is a small deciduous, bulbous plant reaching a height of 100–250 mm (3.9–9.8 in). It is in the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, and is found along the Cape Fold Mountains from the Cape Peninsula, Western Cape, to the Kouga Mountains, Eastern Cape in South Africa.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Fire Lily?
Water Fire 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. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Fire Lily?
Fire Lily (Cyrtanthus ventricosus) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Cyrtanthus genus. Fire Lily is also known as Ifafa Lily.
Fire Lily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Fire Lily produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Fire Lily?
Cyrtanthus ventricosus 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 Fire Lily Need?
Fire Lily thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Fire 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 Fire Lily Prefer?
Cyrtanthus ventricosus grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Fire Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fire Lily?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Fire Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fire Lily?
Feed Fire 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 Fire 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 Fire Lily?
Fire 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 Fire Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Fire Lily?
Fire 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 Fire Lily Need?
Fire Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Fire Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Fire 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.
Fire 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 ventricosus Willd., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 2: 49 (1799)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Fire Lily is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. 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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