A tropical plant called the Amazon Lily is distinguished by its extensive, deep-green leaves and clusters of white blossoms. Even though it might be challenging to get the bulb to bloom, the green foliage alone has enough decorative appeal to make it the perfect addition to any garden.

Amazonian Lily, the most often called eucharis, has been grown in botanical gardens since the early 19th century. It is a bulbous perennial plant native to the tropics of South and Central America, but over time this plant has adapted quite well to growing in the home.

Now the Amazon Lily is already so firmly embedded in home floriculture that there are even some omens associated with it. For example, Amazon Lily is considered a talisman of female happiness, protecting the family from misfortune. According to feng shui, it neutralizes the energy of shi (unfavorable) and restores beneficial qi. The Amazon Lily is said to be especially helpful for children, opening up new abilities and developing their assiduity and desire for knowledge.

Description and Varieties

Leaves – dark green, wide-oval, beautifully curved, large (in width can reach up to 16, in length – up to 30 cm, the total length, together with the cuttings, can be up to 55 cm). The plant can have from 2 to 4 leaves at the same time. The exception is very rare. The flower stalk is long and leafless; it bears large (7 to 12 cm in diameter) snow-white or slightly bluish 3-10 flowers, somewhat reminiscent of narcissus, fragrant, with a pleasant fragrance. Flowering is long, lasting 20-30 days. At home, with proper care, Amazon Lily can bloom 2-3 times a year, and a healthy plant with a large bulb can throw out 2 flower stalks at once. The bulb is rounded, large, and up to 6 cm in diameter.

To propagate by seeds a plant that is happy to provide you with bulb-children is at least a more complicated way. Leave it to the breeders, especially since varietal properties, are often not inherited in the offspring of hybrid varieties.

Completely separating the bulbous offspring from the mother bulb is not recommended. The best way is to separate the whole bunch by transplanting a few bulbs together in different pots. This is less traumatic for the plant and its roots, allowing the dividers to bloom the following season.
Replanting is carried out in the dormancy period, and it is very convenient to combine it with transplanting. Both procedures are carried out with the preservation of the root ball (in this case – a part of it) so as not to damage the delicate roots.

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• Amaryllis – Indoor and Outdoor Plant Care

Care for Amazon Lilies

In general, the care of Amazon Lily is a relatively simple. However, it does not mean the absolute unpretentiousness of the pet.

Temperature

Amazon Lily comes from tropical rainforests – and this means proper temperature maintenance. It needs no less than 20-24C daytime and 16-18C nighttime temperatures. And it does not depend on seasonality – Amazon Lily does not care about our seasonality; its homeland has a limited variety of seasons! Of course, Amazon Lily will not like the abrupt temperature changes – all draughts must be suppressed.

Watering

Watering should be no particular problems – a couple of times a week during active growth and flowering, once a week outside of it. Focus on the substrate – do not let it dry out. However, do not keep the top layer as wet as possible. What comes in handy is spraying or putting a moisture source underneath/next to it; you need to stop spraying from the beginning of budding until the end of flowering.

Substrate and lighting

As an inhabitant of the lowest forest tier, Amazon Lily needs bright but diffused light and nutritious drained soil. Practice says that Amazon Lily feels great even on northern windows. Only if the conditions of the brightness of light were met. The soil is fertilized with only liquid mixtures. Preferably low in nitrogen – and only during the flowering period!

Dormancy and transplanting

You arrange the Amazon Lily yourself during the resting period, although it is necessary. When the flowers fade, cut off the flower stems, reduce watering, and stop feeding – let the plant “rest.” You will understand when you can start a “new season” – the Amazon Lilies will have new sprouts.
Transplant the flowers no more often than once every 3-4 years. Remember to equip quality drainage in the new pot!

Soil

Whether you cultivate the Amazon Lily indoors or outdoors will affect the type of soil you use to plant it. In zones 10 and 11, ensure the soil drains effectively and contains a lot of organic matter before growing a garden. Because of the clay soil’s strong water retention, the bulbs struggle. When planting inside, pick a general-purpose potting mix and add humus and compost. This enhances the drainage of the soil. Ensure that the pH is between 5.6 and 6.4. As long as the soil isn’t excessively acidic or too alkaline, slightly acidic soil is okay.

Amazon Lily Varieties

The tropical bulbous plant Eucharis amazonica, also known as the Amazon Lily, belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. Numerous additional species are marketed as Amazon lilies in the realm of lilies. There is no trickery going on. To be fair, all species of the Amazon Lilies have attractive characteristics that distinguish them from the rest of the wider lily family. Here are a few varieties of Amazon lilies you can cultivate in your garden or greenhouse.

• 1. Eucharis Astrophile – This lily is indigenous to Ecuador, and it thrives in humid environments with moist soil. It dislikes direct sun exposure like other lily species do. It is a rare species now considered endangered due to widespread development in its native environment.
• 2. Eucharis Candida – Another lily species, Eucharis candida, is found in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. The broad, tapering leaves are paired with white blooms with arching petals that display thick, yellow anthers.
• 3. Eucharis Grandiflora – Although this plant is a hybrid, it naturally grows in its native Colombia and Ecuador. Except for its less beautiful blossoms, it is identical to the Eucharis amazonica in every way. The bulb requires sustained humidity levels above 80% and temperatures between 66 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for it to blossom.
• 4. Eucharis Amazonica – From Sri Lanka to Mexico and Peru, it has successfully adapted to various tropical areas. A pleasant aroma emanates from its stunning white blossoms. Flowering is not guaranteed outside zones 10 and 11 because it is easier than the other plants on this list.

How to Grow Amazon Lily

Cultivating the Amazon Lily in a container is preferable if you live in a cooler region where the temperature is lower in winter evenings. Contrarily, a lily in a pot is more likely to bloom than a garden. You can enjoy the beauty of this tropical lily for many years if you plant it in a small container and repot it once every three years. Here are some simple procedures for growing it from bulbs.

• Choose a compact container with a diameter of about 6 inches. About 4 bulbs can be grown at a time with that amount.
• About one-third of the container should be filled with organic materials before adding the potting mix. The soil becomes more enriched
  and porous as a result.
• Each bulb should be placed with its neck just above the soil line in a hole dug in the ground.
• Backfill the holes with dirt, compacting it to force any air pockets out.
• To get the soil moist, water the container right away. Keep the soil moist until the bulbs form roots and the first stem appears.
• Put the container in a well-lit location away from direct sunshine, shielded from frigid winds and strong currents.
• Keep the temperature above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. That might ith anmpede the bulb’s growd keep it from blossoming.
• Maintain year-round high humidity levels of at least 80%. The plant can withstand decreased humidity levels when it goes dormant.
• The Amazon Lily prefers being contained, and a packed container is optimal for the bulb’s development and flowering. So, keep them together until the roots can be seen poking through the drainage holes. Repotting them in a little bigger container is then possible.

Pruning and Deadheading

Generally speaking, pruning is not required. You would only need to remove old leaves once they started to yellow and wilt. However, just remove one leaf at a time while trimming. Before you remove another large leaf from the plant, give it around a week.

Despite their attractiveness, flowers tend to produce a lot of pollen. The pollen can pose a potential concern when combined with the excessive humidity around the pot. Therefore, you must deadhead the flowers before they pollinate unless you wish to collect the seeds.

The bulbs produce new blooms to replace those lost when the flowers are cut before they have completed their life cycle. As usual, only one blossom should be cut at a time.

Pests and Diseases

The two common pests that eat on the thick leaves and blossoms of the Amazon Lily are caterpillars and spider mites. Caterpillars consume the leaf sap and occasionally taste the bulbs, poking large holes in them. This might be harmful to the plant as a whole. Spider mites, on the other hand, wrap the leaves and stems with their webs, which makes them wilt and turn yellow. Use neem oil to repel both insects. You can alternatively hand-pick the caterpillars and drop them into a bucket of soapy water to drown them.

The most typical ailment of the Amazon Lily is root rot. Overwatering and poorly draining soil are frequent causes. Root rot can be fatal if it is not caught in time. The roots, bulb, and crown are all impacted. You can still salvage the plant if the bulb is still in good shape.

Conclusion

The Amazon Lily is extremely toxic in all of its parts. Flowers, leaves, stalks, bulbs, and roots are all included in this. People and animals will suffer if any part of the plant is consumed. Excessive thirst, a rash around the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps are all indications of poisoning. In the event of poisoning, you should seek emergency medical attention.

Wear safety equipment when working with the lily. Avoid touching the plant with your bare hands because any cuts or scrapes could irritate and cause a rash.

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