Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Christmas Bells Plant Care
Sandersonia aurantiaca Hook.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's distinctive tubular, orange flowers resembling Chinese lanterns make it a standout choice for gardeners. Originating from South Africa, Sandersonia aurantiaca is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique appearance and ability to attract pollinators like birds and bees. Its vibrant colors and elegant shape make it a stunning addition to any garden or collection.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Christmas Bells?
Water Christmas Bells every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Christmas Bells Native To?
What Is the Christmas Bells?
Christmas Bells (Sandersonia aurantiaca) belongs to the Colchicaceae family within the Sandersonia genus. Christmas Bells is native to South Africa and Eswatini (Swaziland). Christmas Bells is also known as Chinese Lantern Lily, Golden Lily of the Field.
Christmas Bells displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Christmas Bells produces tubular orange flowers with reflexed petals.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Christmas Bells?
Sandersonia aurantiaca 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 Christmas Bells Need?
Christmas Bells thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Christmas Bells Prefer?
Sandersonia aurantiaca grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Christmas Bells prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Christmas Bells?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Christmas Bells to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Christmas Bells?
Feed Christmas Bells 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 Christmas Bells?
Repot every 1-2 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 Christmas Bells?
Christmas Bells can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds.
Is the Christmas Bells Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Christmas Bells, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Christmas Bells?
Christmas Bells is susceptible to aphids, 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 Christmas Bells Need?
Christmas Bells grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Christmas Bells is native to South Africa and Eswatini (Swaziland). In cooler regions, grow Christmas Bells as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Christmas Bells 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 Sandersonia genus — compare its care with other Sandersonia species on PlantoScan.
Sandersonia is part of the Colchicaceae plant family — browse all Colchicaceae genera and species.
Christmas Bells 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: Sandersonia aurantiaca Hook., family Colchicaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 79: t. 4716 (1853)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Christmas Bells, 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.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 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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