Hippeastrum

Hippeastrum striatum

Striped Barbados Lily

Hippeastrum striatum is a bulbous geophyte from the forests of eastern and southern Brazil, storing water and reserves in its bulb. Give it bright indirect light and a gritty, free-draining mix, watering only when the top inch or two of soil has dried; the stored bulb rots easily if left sitting wet. Expect a natural rest period when leaves die back, during which watering should be reduced further.

Hippeastrum puniceum

Barbados Lily

Hippeastrum puniceum is a bulbous geophyte from tropical South America that stores water and energy in its bulb, so it tolerates dry spells far better than soggy roots. Give it bright indirect light and gritty, fast-draining mix, and water only when the top inch or two of mix has gone dry — the bulb rots if left sitting wet. Expect a natural rest period when foliage dies back; water sparingly or not at all until new growth appears.

Hippeastrum reticulatum

Netted-veined Amaryllis

Hippeastrum reticulatum is a bulbous geophyte from the subtropical forests of southern and northeastern Brazil and northeastern Argentina, where it grows in dappled shade rather than open sun. The bulb stores water and rots if kept wet, so let the top two inches of a free-draining mix dry before watering and water less during dormancy. Give it bright indirect light and ordinary household humidity.