Everything about amaryllis and hippeastrum: visual differences, how to distinguish from each other

Outwardly, incredibly similar amaryllis and hippeastrum in the botanical sense are species of the same genus - Amaryllis. Novice growers may confuse plants. It is easiest to see the difference when there are two flowering plants next to each other, in other cases, you should pay attention to important differences between them.

Beautiful and unusual inflorescences of both hippeastrum and amaryllis are very decorative, they will decorate any interior, are suitable for creating lush bouquets, they will delight you with unusual colors and numerous inflorescences.

Hippeastrum blooming on the windowsill

These flowers are worth growing on the windowsill and in the garden, they will bring unusual colors and provide a lush decoration anywhere. Both flowers are interior, they will create a favorable atmosphere and decorate the house. It is still worth learning how to distinguish these plants.

The main differences between amaryllis and hippeastrum

Belonging to the same genus makes these two plants so similar that many cannot distinguish them. Emphasis should be placed on the main details and determine how amaryllis differs from hippeastrum:

• in amaryllis, the shape of the bulb is pear-shaped, while in the hippeastrum it is round, less often slightly elongated;
• amaryllis has practically no aroma, hippeastrum has a bright pronounced floral scent;
• no more than 6 buds bloom in the inflorescence of the hippeastrum, amaryllis forms large bouquets of up to 12 buds;
• the formation of flowers in autumn is inherent in amaryllis, in winter and spring, hippeastrum blooms;
• the flowering arrow of the amaryllis is filled inside, the hippeastrum has a cavity.

Amaryllis in the garden

Thanks to such simple knowledge, you can easily enough learn to distinguish these plants and grow at home exactly the one that attracts more. Amaryllis and hippeastrum, their differences are so obvious that, having visited a specialized store, it will be easy to see their differences and choose exactly the plant that is more to your taste.

The difference in the species diversity of colors

Amaryllis has only four species called Amaryllis belladonna, Amaryllis bagnoldii, Amaryllis condemaita, Amaryllis paradisicola. At this time, hippeastrum has about 90 species, which often differ significantly from each other.

The origin of plants

These flowers grow in completely different regions of the planet. The genus Hippeastrum is found in America, in the subtropical and tropical zones, most of all in Peru, Brazil and Bolivia in the Amazon basin. This genus is considered a geophyte and grows mostly in the steppe and mountain-steppe regions. Amaryllis were found in South Africa, later brought to Australia. They are mesophytes, prefer moist soils.

Crossbreeding ability

Amaryllis crosses well with other species, for example, with Krinum, Nerine or Brunswigia.Hippeastrum, in turn, is practically incapable of crossing, in 90% of cases this is impossible.

Amaryllis in the wild

Despite this, the varietal variety is very large and includes almost 2000 varieties, the most popular are about 200 of them. The most common are representatives of the Leopold hybrids group.

Flowering periods

These two related plants have dramatic differences in dormancy and flowering periods. Amaryllis always has a time when it falls asleep, because the plant is a deciduous flower, hippeastrum is also evergreen, depending on the variety.

Amaryllis blooms once every 365 days, as a rule, in the autumn period, in turn, the hippeastrum will delight with lush flowers two to four times a year, most often the flowering period occurs in winter or spring. In addition, the beginning of flowering can change from the beginning of forcing.

Appearance, color and shape of flowers, leaves

There are also differences in the appearance of plants, while attention should be paid to both color and shape.

Hippeastrum has flowers of absolutely incredible shades: from white and yellow to green, red and pink. In addition, streaks or dots of brighter shades are often present. The foliage differs depending on the species, it is smooth and hard, the shape is belt-like.

Differences between amaryllis and hippeastrum

The hippeastrum peduncle reaches 80 cm in height, is hollow inside, green with a brownish or gray tint. Up to 6 buds are formed, when they bloom, their aroma is barely perceptible or absent altogether. The size of the buds reaches 14.5 cm, in diameter - up to 25 cm, they are funnel-shaped.

The bulb of the hippeastrum is round in shape, resembles an apple, it can be slightly elongated. The surface scales resemble white onion peels. The diameter of the bulbs varies from 5 to 10 cm, the roots are cordlike.

Amaryllis blooms in all shades of pink, the leaves are narrow with grooves, flowering often occurs in their absence. There are stripes and blotches on flowers, but they have white or pink hues, the aroma is strong and pronounced.

Amarylis flowers

Peduncle without cavity, green with a pronounced shade of purple. Reaches 1 m in height, no more than 12 flowers bloom at the crown. The inflorescence is umbellate, the leaves are located at the roots in two rows. Flowers reach 8 cm in diameter, consist of 6 petals, which have pointed tips.

The amaryllis bulb is pear-shaped, the entire surface is covered with gray scales, has pubescence inside. In size it reaches 12 cm in diameter.

How not to be confused when buying

The easiest way to tell the difference is if you have both plants at the time of purchase and they are blooming. In all other cases, you should pay attention to the small details inherent in the desired species.

When buying bulbs, it is better to give preference to trusted manufacturers, then the likelihood of confusing amaryllis and hippeastrum tends to zero. When buying bulbs without packaging in a flower shop, you should pay attention to the shape and shade of the scales.

In the middle of summer, amaryllis is dormant, therefore the bulbs can be safely purchased, the hippeastrum is in bloom at this time. Closer to autumn, amaryllis wakes up and releases a peduncle, the leaves appear much later, closer to winter.

Both plants are very beautiful and quite similar. If there is no purpose for breeding and selling these flowers, then for home floriculture it does not matter what is purchased: hippeastrum or amaryllis. They are similar, beautiful and decorative. Amaryllis flower is very similar to hippeastrum, this is no coincidence, because the second is a hybrid of the first.

In the case of purchasing for yourself, you should give more preference to the shade of flowers and plant care. So, during the dormant period, watering should be reduced, the bulb should be removed to a cool place, and upon awakening, create the most comfortable conditions for longer flowering.