Cyrtanthus is the largest genus of the Amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, in Africa consisting of 60 species. Fifty of these species are found in South Africa where they occupy a vast range of habitats, from arid lowlands to snowy mountains. There are desert plants and those capable of withstanding cold and wet. For safety’s sake, they should all be regarded as tender. All Cyrtanthus require a well-drained soil. Use clay pots or bed them out, in a soil containing a LOT of river sand. Never put them in peat-based compost (or similar) and never use plastic pots. Most do not need much water. Let them dry out almost completely between watering. If in doubt, then don’t give any water. The majority are deciduous, sometimes only briefly, but they will need a dry dormant period to ripen growth.

Cyrtanthus breviflorus or “Yellow fire lily” grows from 25-45cm tall. It has cream/yellow star-shaped flowers from spring to summer.