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IIIFolio · plant profile№ 84B0edible
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Fire Lily

Cyrtanthus breviflorus
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Cyrtanthus breviflorus (Fire Lily) — botanical photograph
Pl. 84B0 — Cyrtanthus breviflorus
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I

Overview

Fire Lily, scientifically known as Cyrtanthus breviflorus, is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family and is native to regions including Angola, Cape Provinces, Free State, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Malawi, Northern Provinces, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zaïre, and Zimbabwe. This plant thrives in moist, wet conditions with light (sandy) soil and requires full sun to grow well. It reaches a height of 0.3 meters and is valued for its edible leaves, which can be eaten raw or cooked and are often prepared in stews or added to salads for a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Its distinctive feature lies in its ability to adapt to various climates within its native range, making it a versatile addition to botanical gardens or home landscapes where similar growing conditions are met. While primarily known for its culinary uses, Fire Lily's leaves offer a mild, sweet flavor that enhances various dishes.

Quick answers

What is Fire Lily?

Fire Lily, scientifically known as Cyrtanthus breviflorus, is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family and is native to regions including Angola, Cape Provinces, Free State, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Malawi, Northern Provinces, Rwanda, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zaïre, and Zimbabwe.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Fire Lily thrives in full sun and prefers moist to wet conditions with well-draining light soil. It is hardy in zones 8-11 and grows to about 0.3 meters tall. For propagation, gardeners can divide the bulbs or use seeds. Harvest edible leaves for culinary uses.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Light (sandy)
Hardiness
8-11
Mature size
0.3 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow Fire Lily for the first time

7steps

Start with Fire Lily to gain experience in growing bulbs, focusing on basic care and maintenance.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Fire Lily bulbs or seeds, a small pot, well-draining soil.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant Fire Lily in late winter or early spring for best results.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Use a light, sandy soil mix. Ensure the container has drainage holes.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Plant bulbs 2-3 times their depth. For seeds, sow them on the surface and keep moist.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during this period.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Provide full sun exposure and regular watering to maintain moisture levels.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    After flowering, remove spent blooms. Prune dead leaves in late winter.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The Fire Lily's leaves are edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are often prepared in stews or added to salads for a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Skip the detailed preparation methods as they were not provided.
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

14 native · 0 introduced
Distribution across1 continent· 14 native
Africa9 regions
native (9)AngolaEswatiniKenyaLesothoMalawiRwandaTanzaniaZambiaZimbabwe
Broader regions
native:Cape Provinces, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Provinces, Zaïre
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Cyrtanthus breviflorus (Fire Lily) — botanical photograph
Fire Lily (Cyrtanthus breviflorus)
XI

Explore further

Companion planting
Growing zone
XII

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