Stephen Albert
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
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.
