The exotic-looking Blood Lily (Haemanthus) is a stunning member of the Amaryllis family, which means it grows from a bulb. If you’ve fallen in love with its unique look, you’ll be happy to know you can propagate this decorative plant yourself using two relatively simple methods: separating “baby” bulbs or sowing ripe seeds. Not sure which route to take? Let’s break down which method is right for your green thumb.
Propagating Blood Lilies: Division vs. Seeds
With a little TLC and a cool winter dormancy period, your main plant bulb will eventually produce smaller “offset” bulbs. These can be detached and potted up on their own. The only downside? You can really only do this every three years or so to keep the plant healthy.
You can also grow brand-new plants from ripe seeds. These seeds develop from those spectacular flower heads that bloom in the spring. You can sow these pea-sized seeds every year in early spring. Just a heads-up, though: growing from seed is a bit of a marathon, not a sprint, which is why most gardeners prefer the division method.
Dividing Your Blood Lily During Repotting
The perfect time to divide your ornamental lily is when you’re already repotting it in the spring.
Here’s how to do it:
- Gently remove your Blood Lily from its pot and carefully clean the soil off the bulb.
- Use a sharp, clean knife to carefully detach the small offset bulbs from the parent.
- Fill a small starter pot with fresh, compost-based potting mix and tuck your new baby bulb in. Those tiny roots are super fragile, so handle them with care! Make sure the tip of the bulb is still peeking out above the soil line.
- Give it some water and keep the soil consistently moist, but be careful not to let it get waterlogged.
- Place the pot in a bright, warm spot (around 68°F / 20°C), like a sunny windowsill, but keep it out of direct, harsh sunlight.
Growing Blood Lilies from Seed
If you’re feeling patient, you can grow these beauties from scratch using seeds.
Here’s the secret to success:
- Prepare a seed tray with a light starting mix.
- Sow the seeds, making sure not to crowd them.
- Cover the seeds with just a thin layer of substrate.
- Keep the soil moist, but never soggy.
- Create a little greenhouse effect by placing a plastic dome or wrap over the tray—just remember to vent it regularly so it can breathe.
- Keep your seedlings in a bright, warm spot at about 68°F (20°C).
- One pro tip: Don’t try to prick out or transplant the young plants too early after germination; let them get established first!