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How to Grow Amazon Lily — Eucharis

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Eucharis–commonly called Amazon lily–is a summer-flowering perennial bulb. It bears umbels of fragrant, daffodil-like white flowers. Each flower has 6 spreading tepals around in two rows, the outer ones longer and narrower than the inner one, and 6 stamens fused to form a cup.

Eucharis has long-stalked ovate or elliptic to lance-shaped glossy green basal leaves that are often wavy or folded.

Eucharis can be grown outdoors in tropical regions; place it in a bed or border in a dappled shade. It can be grown indoors in bright filtered light. Eucharis can be forced into bloom at any time of the year indoors (see below).

Eucharis is a genus of 17 species of evergreen bulbous perennials native to moist forest margins in tropical Central and South America.

Get to know Eucharis

  • Plant type: Bulb
  • Growing zones and range: Zones 14-15
  • Hardiness: Tender
  • Height and width: 28 inches (70cm) tall, 6 inches (15cm) wide
  • Foliage: Ovate or elliptic to lance-shape, glossy, basal leaves often wavy, sometimes folded
  • Flowers: Umbels of daffodil-like white flowers; each flower has 6 spreading tepals
  • Bloom time: Late summer
  • Uses: Bed or border in tropical regions, houseplant
  • Common name: Amazon lily
  • Botanical name: Eucharis
  • Family name: Amaryllidaceae
  • Origin: Central and South America
Amazon lily flowers, Eucharis amazonica
Amazon lily flowers, Eucharis amazonica

Where to plant Eucharis

  • Light outdoors: Outdoors grow Eucharis in dappled shade.
  • Light indoors: Grow Eucharis in bright filtered light indoors.
  • Soil outdoors: Grow outdoors in moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil.
  • Soil indoors: Grow Eucharis in soil-based potting soil with added sharp sand and leaf mold.

When to plant Eucharis

  • Set Eucharis outdoors in spring.

Planting and spacing Eucharis

  • Space Eucharis 6 inches (15cm) apart.

How to water and feed Eucharis

  • Water Eucharis freely when in active growth; water sparingly in winter.
  • Fertilize Eucharis with a balanced fertilizer monthly.

Eucharis care

  • After the plant has bloomed reduce water until the foliage has died down.
  • Place the plant in a cool spot for several months to rest, and then start the process over again.

Growing Eucharis as a houseplant

  • Grow Eucharis in a warm room where the humidity is high and the light is bright.
  • Pot Eucharis in a well-drained, coarse-growing medium so the tip of the bulb is just below the surface of the medium.
  • Water heavily until the foliage is fully grown, then withhold water until the leaves droop, and place the plant in a cool room for two to three weeks to induce flower buds. then return the plant to its normal growing conditions and resume heavy watering.
  • Fertilize monthly when the plant is growing.

Eucharis pests and diseases

  • Eucharis can be attacked by mealybugs and scale insects.
  • Eucharis is susceptible to botrytis blight.

Eucharis propagation

  • Propagate Eucharis by removing offset bulbs that form at the base of the plant or from seeds.

Eucharis varieties to grow

  • Eucharis amazonica. Grows to 28 inches tall; wavy, dark green leaves; umbels of pure white flowers with protruding stamens on a leafless stem.
  • E. grandiflora, Amazon lily. Grows 16 to 24 inches tall; broad, shiny leaves grow to 12 inches long; clusters have 3 to 6 fragrant 2- to 3-inch flaring white flowers; flowers can be forced any time of the year.

Eucharis frequently asked questions

Q: How do I grow an Amazon lily indoors?

A: Amazon lily (Eucharis) needs average indoor warmth, not cooler than 60°F in winter. Place Amazon lily in bright light, not direct sun. Water the plant regularly from spring to autumn. Water moderately in winter. After each bloom, the plant should get a 4- to 5-week rest period with the soil somewhat dry.

Q: How should I plant Amazon lily bulbs?

A: Place each Amazon lily bulb in a 5-inch pot; use a well-drained potting mix. Place the bulb in a warm place, 70° to 75°F until buds appear. Water well after botting and fertilize the growing plant until blooms develop, then stop feeding.

Q: When does the Amazon lily bloom?

A: Amazon lily (Eucharis grandiflora) flowers in late summer and again a few months later if the conditions are right. Each bloom looks like a spiky trumpet. There are usually 3 to 6 blooms on each 2-foot stalk.

Q: How do I propagate Amazon lily?

A: Detach offsets from mature Amazon lily plants in summer.

Written by Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

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