AMARYLLIDACEAE

 This bulbous plant grows wild throughout South Africa and in parts of Namibia. It's also called the Cape tulip because of its bright red, tulip-like flower. As it ages, this plant produces offshoots that also produce leaves and flowers. In the wild, these plants flower at the start of the rainy season so they can use the rain to flower, be pollinated, and set seed. The seeds then have time to germinate, grow, and swell that same season before the hot, dry season arrives. In cultivation, this is often also the case, with the flowers appearing before the leaves. It is a natural winter grower but can potentially be reversed in cultivation.

 Full sun and water when the pot threatens to dry out. Theoretically, the growing season is winter, with a summer dormancy. Practically, water from September to May, after which you leave the bulb bone dry and let it overwinter. You may be able to reverse this growth pattern by keeping the bulb dry during the winter (safer) and watering only from spring to autumn.