Plant Description

Eucharis x grandiflora

Eucharis x grandiflora

This is a bulbous perennial from Colombia, South America, with clusters of glistening flowers like pristine white daffodils. It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family (which includes daffodils!). It is sometimes known as the Amazon or Eucharist lily (despite the latter name, there is apparently no religious connotation to this: 'eucharis' means 'elegant' in Latin and 'charm' in Greek). It grows to about 45 cm tall. In its natural habitat, it grows on the floor of rainforests, so is adapted to warm, humid conditions and shade, even quite heavy shade, though blooming may be less in such a position. It likes good drainage. It has broad green leaves with a pointed tip.

It will do well in Sydney gardens but seems best suited to life in a pot, with good, fertile potting mix, mainly because its watering needs seem to vary during the year, with ample watering needed from spring to autumn but much less in winter. Also, if grown in a pot, the plant can be moved to a sheltered spot in winter so it doesn't suffer too much from the cold weather; good drainage can also be assured. The flowers are very fragrant at night, to attract pollinators. In general, my bulbs flower in mid- to late autumn (around April or May) but apparently it is possible to produce more flowering periods by alternating resting and growing periods in the warm months of the year, the rest achieved by withholding water for a few weeks. I have yet to try this. Fertilise in spring and every so often through the warmer months. Propagation is by detaching the small offsets from the main plant in summer and potting them on. It is unfortunately subject to attack by the dreaded lily borer caterpillar: keep a look out for these and destroy them or pour a diluted mixture of Yates Success or Eco Neem over them. Lily borers can actually kill the bulbs if not tackled early on. Snails also like to chew the leaves and flowers at times.

Note that all parts of this plant are poisonous to cats.

According to some authorities, this plant should now be known as Urceolina x grandiflora.

Of Interest

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Eucharis x grandiflora
Suitable for Cut Flowers.
Flowers from April to June.
Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae