Can You Plant a Belladonna Amaryllis Flower Seed?

Belladonna lily resembles its relative Hippeastrum.

Amaryllis belladonna, or belladonna lily, is a native of South Africa. Along with its relative Hippeastrum, which is sold by the millions as amaryllis, it is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. It can grow successfully from seed.

Seed Production

Belladonna lily blooms in late summer or early fall, at which time insects pollinate it. When the blooms die back, the ovary containing the fertilized seeds ripens until it dries and cracks open, dispersing seed. The seed can be collected at this point.

Cultivation

Fresh belladonna lily seed is fleshy and pink or white. It should be sown soon after collection for best results. Sew in moist potting mix and cover thinly. Germination will occur in about two weeks. The plant will not flower for three to six years.

Considerations

Because seed-grown belladonna lily takes so long to flower, most gardeners buy bulbs or divide existing clumps of bulbs. This step, which involves digging up the clump and gently separating "daughter bulbs" or bulb offsets, should be done after flowering.

References

• Plantz Africa: Amaryllis belladonna
• Plant of the Week: Amaryllis belladonna
• Michigan State University Extension: Amaryllis Belladonna--Belladonna Lily