Photo: Henry de LangeCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Blood lily Plant Care
Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its striking cluster of bright red, globe-shaped flowers perched atop a tall stalk, this plant hails from the tropical regions of Africa. Plant collectors are drawn to its showy appearance and unique floral display, making it a coveted addition to any garden or collection.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Blood lily?
Water Blood lily 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 60–80°F (16–27°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 Blood lily Native To?
What Is the Blood lily?
Blood lily (Scadoxus puniceus) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Scadoxus genus. Blood lily is native to much of southern and eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), and South Africa. Blood lily is also known as African blood lily, Powderpuff lily.
Blood lily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Blood lily produces showy clusters of red or orange flowers on tall stems.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Blood lily?
Scadoxus puniceus 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 Blood lily Need?
Blood lily thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Blood lily 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 Blood lily Prefer?
Scadoxus puniceus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Blood lily prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Blood lily?
Well-draining, rich soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Blood lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Blood lily?
Feed Blood 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 Blood lily?
Repot every 2-3 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 Blood lily?
Blood lily can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blood lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Blood lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets 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 Blood lily?
Blood lily 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 Blood lily Need?
Blood lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Blood lily is native to much of southern and eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini (Swaziland), and South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Blood lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Blood 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 Scadoxus genus — compare its care with other Scadoxus species on PlantoScan.
Scadoxus is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Blood lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Scadoxus Species
Other Scadoxus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Scadoxus puniceus (L.) Friis & Nordal, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Norweg. J. Bot. 23: 64 (1976)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Blood 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.
- Photo: Henry de Lange, CC BY 4.0, 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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