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Aztec lily – Sprekelia formosissima [ sprek - EL - electrical engineering - uh , for - mo - SIS - electrical engineering - muh ] , characterise by its large , colorful red-faced flower , is a commonly grown species from theAmaryllisfamily ( Amaryllidaceae ) .
While this coinage of the Sprekelia genus is nearly related to the Hippeastrum genus it ’s native to the rough hillsides of Mexico and Guatemala .

Sprekelia was innovate in Europe in the latter half of the 16th hundred , 1568 to be specific .
The plant was first cite as Amaryllis formosissima by a Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus .
It was renamed in 1821 by a British botanist William Herbert in pureness of J.H. von Sprekelson , who first send out this plant to Linnaeus .
The first part of the modern botanic name , Sprekelia , is after the somebody who introduced this industrial plant to Linnaeus .
The second part Formosissima is a Latin word mean beautiful , utterly formed , or handsome .
The plant ’s other common names are :
Even though it ’s not a true lily .
Sprekelia Aztec Lily Care
Size & Growth
The Aztec lily plant is distinguished because of its bombastic flowers that develop one by one at the closing of sturdy , but hollow cylindric scapes .
The crimson crimson colored flowers can rise up to 6″ inch across with six farseeing and minute flower petal whereas the stalk can grow up to a metrical unit .
The folio of this plant are narrow-minded , about an in wide , and can spring up up to 2″ feet .
Flowering and Fragrance
The flowering pattern of this lily coinage is a routine unique and the leafage like to that of a Narcissus pseudonarcissus or tulips .
Thissummer - bloom bulbis usually planted in the spring and blooms in the summer , like other varieties such as sword lily and dahlias .
While other summertime is the prime time for these beautiful red peak colors , they may sometimes produce at other times of the yr as well when the works ’s grown in a greenhouse or as a houseplant .
Even when grown in perfect consideration , the plant does not necessarily blossom every year .
The prime of sprekelia formosissima plants are short - go ; they shrink just after a few days of bloom .
A Jacobean lily industrial plant grown from seeds can take up to 7 twelvemonth to come out flowering .
Light & Temperature
Sprekelia Formosissima requires full Dominicus sunlight to thrive but not as much though during the growing season .
If you ’re in a hotter climate they ’ll allow partial shade .
come out the plant in a well - ventilated country to ensure proper growth and recommended for USDA hardiness zona of 8 – 11 .
Watering and Feeding
Once set up Aztec lily are drouth - tolerant but do best with watering regularly during the growing season .
Give them a liquid feed every 2 weeks during the turn season .
Soil & Transplanting
While this species of Amaryllidaceae family can survive in all variety of soil , provided it ’s fertile , it does well in slightly alkalic ground .
It also requires good drainage for proper growth .
Keep the works dry in winter and fall when it ’s in its dormancy .
moisture soil can cause the bulbs to rot during the dormant phase .
Early twilight is the ideal time to transpose Jacobean lily .
When you plan to move or divide this plant , get the soil completely dry out out during the preceding mid to late summer .
Dig the lily medulla oblongata out when they ’re dormant .
Choose a replant smudge with tight - run out soil receiving tolerable sunlight .
Before planting , prepare the area by mixing some organic fertiliser in the grunge ( half a pound sterling of fertilizer is enough for an area of 25 sq . understructure ) and then plant the bulb about 3″ – 4″ inches inscrutable .
If you hold out in an area probable to get hoarfrost , cover the web site with about 2″ column inch of mulch before it frosts .
Grooming and Maintenance
While Aztec lilies do not require much maintenance , protect them from the extreme cold .
If planted in the terra firma , make indisputable to lift them during the surrender .
Store the torpid lilies through fall and wintertime and then replant in the former spring .
However , you could leave them in the land in orbit having soft wintertime .
Related : tip On grow The Oxblood Lily ( Rhodophiala Bifida )
How to Propagate Sprekelia Lily
As mentioned earlier , let the grease of the plant dry out out during mid to tardy summertime before digging it out .
This ensure the foliage die before you remove the plant from the soil .
After being replanted in fall , Jacobean lilies will most belike start blooming in the spring or former summer .
However , sometimes they get to blossom as early as two months after replant .
Sprekelia formosissima should only be propagated once in every 3 to 4 years because they perform better when slightly crowd together .
Jacobean Lily Pests or Disease Problems
Sprekelia Formosissima is typically pest - free and not susceptible to many diseases .
The only illness Aztec lilies can suffer from is Narcissus foliage scorch .
However , extreme winter can affect their health and maturation and too much moisture during the cold season can make the bulbs molder .
Uses for Formosissima Lily
Sprekelia Formosissima grown for decorative design .
Its vivid and beautiful flowers total color to your garden and increase its aesthetic ingathering but it may be easier grown as a container plant .