Did you know you can grow the most beautiful red flowers that look just like sparklers in your garden?
Blood Lilies are my favorite summer flowers, and they’re way easier to grow than you’d think.
I’ll show you all my tricks!
Planting Requirements
Container & Soil Setup
You know what’s amazing about Blood Lilies? They’re actually super low-maintenance! I learned through trial and error that a 10-inch pot is perfect for these beauties.
For the soil mix, I keep it simple – just regular potting soil with a bit of extra perlite thrown in. I use about 75% potting mix and 25% perlite, which gives them that perfect drainage they love.
Here’s a little secret I discovered – these plants actually prefer to be a bit crowded! If you’re using a smaller 8-inch pot, you can still fit three bulbs comfortably.
Planting Process
Getting these bulbs started is easier than making my morning coffee! First, I fill my pot about 80% full with the soil mixture.
The trick is to position the bulbs so their necks peek above the soil line – just like their cousin, the amaryllis.
After planting, I give them just enough water to settle the soil. Then comes the hard part – resisting the urge to water them until you see active growth!
Growing Conditions
Light & Temperature
Living in Pennsylvania (Zone 6B), I’ve learned these tropical beauties need some special care. They’re naturally happy in Zones 8-10, but don’t worry if you’re not in those zones!
My Blood Lilies absolutely love their morning sunlight spot on the patio. Trust me, they get grumpy in hot afternoon sun – I learned that lesson the hard way!
The sweet spot for temperature is around 65°F at night and 80-90°F during the day. When it gets that warm, these babies just explode with growth!
Growth Pattern
You won’t believe how fast these beauties grow! My first batch bloomed in less than a month after planting – talk about instant gratification in the garden!
Here’s something fun about Blood Lilies – they’re full of surprises! Sometimes the flowers pop up before the leaves, and other times they arrive together. It’s like a little garden mystery every time.
Each bulb puts on its own spectacular show with one amazing flower. And get this – when you bring them inside to a cool spot, these stunning blooms can last for almost two weeks!
Once the flowers finish their show, you’ll get these gorgeous thick leaves that look like a cross between a Clivia and an Amaryllis. Trust me, they’re just as pretty as the flowers!
Bloom Care
During Flowering
Want to know my secret for making those gorgeous blooms last longer? As soon as I see the flowers opening, I bring them inside where it’s cooler.
In my cozy indoor spot with filtered light and temperatures around 74°F, the flowers last nearly two weeks! Outside in the heat, they might only give you 5 days of show time.
This little trick has made such a difference – I get to enjoy these stunning blooms during my morning coffee for so much longer!
Post-Bloom Care
Once the firework show is over, I simply snip off the spent blooms with my trusty garden shears. No need to feel sad though – the show isn’t over!
These plants are such overachievers! After flowering, they become the most gorgeous houseplants with their thick, strappy leaves.
I love having options with these beauties – you can keep them inside as year-round houseplants or let them strut their stuff outdoors during the warm months.
Indoor vs Outdoor Growing
Indoor Growing
Let me tell you, these plants are total superstars as houseplants! Give them a bright, sunny window (south-facing is perfect), and they’ll thrive.
If you’re like me and love having plants everywhere in your home, you might want to add some growing lights during those darker winter months.
Even when they’re not blooming, their gorgeous foliage makes them total showstoppers in any room. My guests always ask about them!
Outdoor Growing
When growing these beauties outside, think of them as your delicate garden divas – they need just the right spot to really shine!
I found the perfect location on my patio where they get lovely morning sun but stay protected from those harsh afternoon rays.
Remember, these tropical treasures need to come inside for winter if you live anywhere colder than Zone 8. I bring mine in as soon as temperatures threaten to dip below 55°F.
Just like us, they need their beauty rest during winter! This dormancy period is super important for getting those spectacular blooms next season.
I hope this guide helps you grow these amazing plants! They might seem a bit fancy at first, but trust me – if I can grow them successfully on my patio in Pennsylvania, you can definitely do it too!