Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
White paintbrush Plant Care
Haemanthus albiflos Jacq.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its pom-pom like clusters of white flowers, resembling delicate snowballs atop a thick stem. Originating from South Africa, Haemanthus albiflos is highly sought after by plant collectors for its striking beauty and unique blooming pattern, making it a rare and desirable addition to any collection.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for White paintbrush?
Water White paintbrush every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% 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.
Where Is the White paintbrush Native To?
What Is the White paintbrush?
White paintbrush (Haemanthus albiflos) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Haemanthus genus. White paintbrush is native to the coast and mountains of South Africa. White paintbrush is also known as Blood lily, Pincushion.
White paintbrush displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. White paintbrush produces showy clusters of red or white flowers on tall stalks.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a White paintbrush?
Haemanthus albiflos 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 White paintbrush Need?
White paintbrush thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing White paintbrush in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the White paintbrush Prefer?
Haemanthus albiflos grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. White paintbrush prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a White paintbrush?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for White paintbrush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a White paintbrush?
Feed White paintbrush 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 White paintbrush?
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 White paintbrush?
White paintbrush can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blood lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the White paintbrush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to pets, can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested
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 White paintbrush?
White paintbrush is susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, spider mites. 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 White paintbrush Need?
White paintbrush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. White paintbrush is native to the coast and mountains of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow White paintbrush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
White paintbrush 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 Haemanthus genus — compare its care with other Haemanthus species on PlantoScan.
Haemanthus is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
White paintbrush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Haemanthus Species
Other Haemanthus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Haemanthus albiflos Jacq., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Pl. Hort. Schoenbr. 1: 31 (1797)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: White paintbrush 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.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, 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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