Hessea cinnamomea Plant Care
Hessea cinnamomea T.Durand & Schinz
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hessea cinnamomea, commonly known as the cinnamon hessea or umbrella lily, is a perennial flowering plant and geophyte that belongs to the genus Hessea and is part of the fynbos. The species is endemic to the Western Cape.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hessea cinnamomea?
Water Hessea cinnamomea every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°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.
Where Is the Hessea cinnamomea Native To?
What Is the Hessea cinnamomea?
Hessea cinnamomea (Hessea cinnamomea) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Hessea genus. Hessea cinnamomea is native to the Western Cape.
Hessea cinnamomea displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Hessea cinnamomea produces small star-shaped flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hessea cinnamomea?
Hessea cinnamomea 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 Hessea cinnamomea Need?
Hessea cinnamomea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hessea cinnamomea Prefer?
Hessea cinnamomea grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Hessea cinnamomea prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hessea cinnamomea?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hessea cinnamomea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hessea cinnamomea?
Feed Hessea cinnamomea 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 Hessea cinnamomea?
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 Hessea cinnamomea?
Hessea cinnamomea can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hessea breviflora plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hessea cinnamomea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Hessea cinnamomea?
Hessea cinnamomea is susceptible to aphids, thrips, 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 Hessea cinnamomea Need?
Hessea cinnamomea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Hessea cinnamomea is native to the Western Cape. In cooler regions, grow Hessea cinnamomea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Hessea cinnamomea 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 Hessea genus — compare its care with other Hessea species on PlantoScan.
Hessea is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Hessea cinnamomea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Hessea Species
Other Hessea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hessea cinnamomea T.Durand & Schinz, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 242 (1894)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Hessea cinnamomea 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 12a, 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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