Overview of Aztec Lily
Aztec lily, or Jacobean lily, is a tender bulb in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). It was formerly classified as Sprekelia formosissima and that name is still sometimes used. Although it has very showy flowers, it is not commonly grown in gardens in cold climates. Native to rocky hillsides of southern Mexico and Guatemala, Aztec lily is hardy only to zone 8a and higher. It is sometimes offered as Amaryllis formosissima. The genus is closely related to Hippeastrum and some intergeneric hybrid crosses have been made between Hippeastrum and Zephyranthes species.
Unusual, brilliant red flowers up to 6 inches across are borne singly on the end of sturdy, hollow, cylindrical scapes about a foot long. Each flower is bilaterally symmetrical, resembling a velvet orchid. Flowers have six long tepals, with the broader, central upper one upright, two narrow lateral ones that are curved back at the tips and three lower narrow deflexed ones partly fused together, rolling up in a horizontal cylinder, encircling the long filaments of the stamens and large anthers with yellow pollen. Flower color is typically scarlet to deep crimson, but there are some pink selections, a white cultivar, and others that have lighter colored midribs or white edges on the red tepals. Unfortunately, the flowers only last for a few days, then quickly shrivel.
The long, dark-green, strap-like leaves emerge in spring about the same time as or before the flowers. In their native habitat, this is typically just after the first rains. Aztec lily may bloom at other times of the year if grown in containers as a houseplant or in a greenhouse. If grown as a seasonal plant, they will bloom later, often several weeks after planting out. Bulbs produce several leaves, growing in an upright rosette at first, then flopping over as they get longer. The bulbs may be up to 2 inches in diameter.
The species does not consistently flower every year, but some selections and hybrids are much more reliable bloomers. Each bulb may produce more than one flower stalk annually, but in usually sequence and not at the same time.
Landscape Use of Aztec Lily
In mild climates, this herbaceous perennial bulb is grown in well-drained soil and mulched for the winter. In the Midwest, Aztec lily can be planted in the ground during the growing season, but is easier to grow as a container plant. If growing in-ground, wait until the soil has warmed and all danger of frost is past to plant the bulbs in free-draining soil, such as in a rock garden. Excessive soil moisture may cause the bulbs to rot or not flower. The bulbs must be dug up in the fall, and then stored in a dry, frost-free location for the winter. However, this plant resents being disturbed and may not flower for several years after being dug or divided.
General Care of Aztec Lily
Growing in containers – using a well-drained potting mix – makes it easy to move the plants for protection from cold or too much rainfall, and the bulbs can remain undisturbed in their pot for 3 to 4 years. The entire container can be moved indoors for the winter, or kept as a houseplant year-round as long as it receives at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. When leaves begin to die back, stop watering and keep plants dry while dormant. Resume watering once new growth begins to show and during flowering.
Aztec lily needs full sun to thrive, although they will tolerate partial shade in hot climates. When planting bulbs in the ground, space them 8 to 12 inches apart and 4 inches deep, leaving the neck of the bulb just above the soil level. In containers, use a 6 inch container for each bulb, or place several in larger containers, spaced about 4 inches apart. Fertilize container-grown bulbs lightly only when growing.
Aztec lily has few pests but may become infested with mealybugs which hide in the crevices where the leaves emerge from the bulb.
Cultivars of Aztec Lily
A few cultivars of Aztec lily have been developed, but they may not be commonly available, especially in cold climate areas. Some cultivars have a prolonged bloom period and may flower in both spring and fall. Not all varieties will produce fertile seed.
- ‘Durga Pradhan’ is an interspecific cross of Hippeastrum and Z. formosissima made in India. Flowers intermediate between amaryllis and Z. formosissima are produced in spring on 12 to 18 inch tall stalks. Vigorous.
- ‘Early Riser’ was developed from a cross of ‘Orient Red’ and ‘Superba’ that is taller than the species (about 22 inches) with bright red flowers.
- ‘Lowe Down’ is a hybrid of Zephyranthes sprekeliopsis (= Sprekelia howardii) and Z. formosissima developed by Steve Lowe and introduced by Plant Delights Nursery. It is early blooming, with large, bright red flowers and good reblooming through fall. It grows 12 inches tall.
- ‘Mystique’ is an intergeneric hybrid with Hippeastrum, featuring red flowers with a blush of white in petal centers. This selection can produce fertile seed.
- ‘Orient Red’ (sometimes listed as ‘Oriental Red’ or ‘Harrison’s Orientred’) is more vigorous and flowers earlier than the species and often produces several flushes of blooms.
- ‘Yucatan’ is a seed strain collected in Mayan ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. It has narrow foliage and shorter leaves than the species and scarlet red flowers in spring. It often reblooms in fall. Grows 14 inches tall.
Propagating Aztec Lily
Aztec lily can produce seed (usually requiring pollination from a different clone to produce viable seed), but is more rapidly propagated by removing the readily produced offset bulblets from the parent plant.
Dig and separate bulbs in late summer or early fall when dormant, replanting the parents and offspring separately.
If flowers are pollinated and set seed, allow the fruit capsule to mature on the plant, and harvest the flat, black winged seeds when the 3-valved pod splits open. Sow fresh seed in well-drained potting medium and keep moist until germination.
Maintain young plants without winter dormancy for the first two years and then treat them like mature plants. Plants grown from seed may take up to 7 years to flower
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension
Revised: June 2026
