SUB TYPE   American

ZONES   7a-11b

HEIGHT   20-26”

SOURCE   Louisiana, America

LIGHT   full sun

PLANTING & CARE

Care for this great old amaryllis the way you would any other amaryllis. It’s just a lot hardier! You can grow it outdoors in zones 7 (possibly 6b) and warmer, or in a pot anywhere.

Unlike modern amaryllis, heirloom amaryllis — with their long, fleshy, permanent roots — don’t like to be moved and often take a long time to re-establish themselves. So if yours doesn’t bloom this year, please don’t be too disappointed. All of our bulbs are blooming-size, and these glorious beauties are well worth waiting for!

To grow it outside, choose a spot in full sun if you’re in the northern parts of its range, or in light shade further south. Fertile, well-drained soil is best, but St. Joseph’s lily can thrive in heavy clay, too. Outside, plant so that the neck of the bulb is just barely buried. Water sparingly till the foliage resumes growth — which can take distressingly long — then water well and fertilize as long as it is actively growing. Stop when the leaves begin to yellow and the bulb goes into dormancy in the fall. (You may actually find the foliage stays evergreen for you.) In the northern parts of its range — zone 7 — we recommend deep, light winter mulch (straw, etc.) for winter protection, just in case. You don’t want to lose this bulb to an unusually harsh winter!

To grow in a pot, choose a clay pot that’s just a bit bigger than the bulb and use a fast-draining potting soil. Plant so that the top third of the bulb is exposed. Water sparingly till the foliage resumes growth — which, again, can take distressingly long — then water and fertilize regularly. When outdoor temperatures warm up, put it in a sunny spot outside or plunge it, pot and all, into the garden. The better it grows through the summer, the better it will bloom next year. In fall, bring indoors for the winter. At this point, most experts recommend that you gradually withhold water to encourage dormancy and then leave the pot completely dry for 2-3 months. When you can’t wait any longer, or you see green growth emerging again in spring, gently remove the top layer of soil (without injuring any roots), replace with fresh soil, and resume watering and fertilizing. On the other hand, some experts report success re-blooming St. Joseph’s lily by keeping it growing in pots throughout the year, without a dormant period. They do recommend giving it some fall chilling, though — but not freezing. You may want to experiment (and let us know!).