Cow tongue plant. White-flowered haemanthus (Haemanthus albiflos)

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If you look closely at the wide leaves of the hemanthus with a rounded top, an association arises with the tongue of an animal. Therefore, the flower is also called “deer (or cow) tongue.” Despite its exotic origin, caring for hemanthus at home is easy.

Description of hemanthus varieties

Hemanthus moved to our houses and apartments from the tropical regions of Africa. More than fifty varieties of it grow on this continent. In decorative floriculture, two of them are most popular.

The most common species is Hemanthus white-flowered. Its large, opposite, leathery leaves of rich green color, 20–30 cm long and 6–8 cm wide, hang freely along the edges of the pot. The less sun the plant gets, the longer and wider the leaves. The young leaf rises vertically, then lies directly on top of the old one. An adult bulb has a diameter of about 6–8 cm, sometimes 10 cm, and is slightly flattened on the sides.

The flowers of this plant are very unique. At the end of August - beginning of October, a flower arrow with a length of 10 to 40 cm appears. From afar, the opened bud can be mistaken for a white fluffy ball. It is actually a mass of white stamens with yellow pollen at the ends. Flowering occurs once a year, but for a very long time - about a month.

What white-flowered hemanthus looks like - photo gallery

The less sun the hemanthus gets, the longer and wider its leaves.
Hemanthus flowering lasts about a month
An open hemanthus bud resembles a fluffy ball

Another variety is Hemanthus Catarina. Its red inflorescence gave the official name to this plant - “bloody flower” (from the Greek words “haima” - blood and “anthos” - flower). Unlike the species described above, it has a rather thick false stem with 4–5 thin leaves on the crown. Their length is up to 40 cm long, width - 10-15 cm, the plates are light green, grooved, slightly wavy at the edges. The plant blooms in late summer - early autumn with an unusually decorative bright red inflorescence 10-20 cm in diameter, also consisting of stamens.

“Bloody Flower” in the photo - photo gallery

Hemanthus Catarina: a luxurious plant with red spherical inflorescences
Hemanthus Catarina blooms in late summer - early autumn
Hemanthus is called the “bloody flower” for its bright inflorescences.

Indoor care requirements - table

Planting and transplanting

The optimal period for planting and replanting is the end of winter and the beginning of spring. If you did not have time to complete the task at this time, schedule it for the second half of August, when the summer heat subsides.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Prepare the soil. Hemanthus will feel good in a mixture of 2 parts turf soil, 1 part leaf soil, 1 part sand, 1 part peat. You can purchase ready-made universal primer at a specialized store.

   You can prepare the soil mixture yourself or buy it at a specialty store.

2. Decide on the material that will be used as drainage. It must be chemically inert so as not to release toxins, rot, decompose, or allow moisture to pass through. Usually this is expanded clay. Some gardeners use pieces of broken clay pots and small stones.

   Expanded clay is good for drainage

3. Choose a pot 15–20 cm high and slightly wider, since the roots of hemanthus grow horizontally and not deep. If there is no suitable container, add a thick layer of drainage to prevent moisture from stagnating. For a young plant with a small root system, a pot 4–5 cm higher and wider than the size of its roots is suitable. Don't forget about the tray into which moisture flows after watering.

   Hemanthus will like low but wide dishes

4. Carefully remove the hemanthus from the old pot. It is possible that the plant sits tightly and cannot be easily removed from the container. If the dishes are plastic, you can press down the walls a little. If it is ceramic, carefully use a long narrow flat object (but not a knife, so as not to cut the roots) walk between the walls of the pot and the earthen lump. Try to remove the hemanthus without damaging the roots. Shake off the removed plant from the old soil.

   Remove the plant from the pot very carefully

5. Pour drainage into a new pot with a layer of 1–2 cm, which will cover the drain hole. If the dish is too high for hemanthus, add enough drainage so that the roots do not reach it by 3-4 cm.

   A prerequisite is a drainage layer to prevent moisture stagnation

6. Lower the roots of the plant into the pot, while holding the bulb suspended so that a third of it is above the top edge of the container. Gently pour the soil around the roots, using your palm to lightly tap the pot so that the soil particles settle tightly around the roots. Hemanthus bulbs should be buried in the ground only 1/3 or 1/2 of the height. Do not add soil 1–2 cm from the top edge of the pot. This “side” should be left to make watering convenient.

   Part of the hemanthus bulb should remain above the ground

7. Place the pot with the plant in the tray. From a small watering can or jug, slowly pour water in a thin stream around the bulb, then at the sides of the pot, allowing the moisture to be absorbed. You can lightly crush the soil so that there are no voids left in it. If the ground has settled, add a little on top. Drain the water that has accumulated in the pan after 1–2 hours. Perhaps the soil is not completely wet, and during this time the moisture, rising through the capillaries, will itself wet the earthen lump.

   It is convenient to water indoor plants with a watering can with a long narrow spout

8. Place the plant in a bright but not hot place for 3-4 days. The plant needs this time to overcome stress. Then move the hemanthus to where it will live permanently.

   The plant is transferred to a permanent place 3–4 days after planting.

Flower propagation

The easiest way to propagate hemanthuses is by daughter bulbs. Young leaves will emerge from the pot first next to the mature bulb. Then, when the young sprout gains strength and forms independent roots, it can be separated from the mother plant. Do this when the young hemanthus begins to throw out the third leaf. Now the plant can be planted in a separate pot.

A young plant with a well-developed root system can be transplanted into a separate pot

How to care for a plant

The rules for caring for hemanthus are simple, and any gardener can follow them.

Watering and fertilizing

In the summer months, hemanthus is watered quite abundantly, draining excess water from the pan. The next moistening is necessary when the soil dries 2 cm. Hemanthus does not need spraying.

During the dormant period, abundant irrigation will be unnecessary; you need to make sure that the earthen ball does not dry out and occasionally moisten it. To provide hemanthus with nutrients, you need to add fertilizers for flowering plants to the water for irrigation (once every 2 weeks), alternating soft, settled water with a fertilizing solution.

Fertilizer for hemanthus can be purchased at a specialty store.

Bloom

With proper care in late summer - early autumn, the plant will thank you with its unusual flowers. The peduncle is cut off when it begins to dry out.

With proper care at the end of summer, hemanthus produces flower stalks

Why doesn't the plant bloom?

The reasons why hemanthus does not bloom may be:

• overwatering the plant;
• too low temperature in combination with abundant watering;
• moisture deficiency;
• insufficient feeding;
• little light;
• lack of rest period;
• the plant is in a draft;
• pot too big;
• use for irrigation of hard water.

If during the spring period and before the formation of flower buds, any or several of the listed factors were present in the care, then, unfortunately, the plant will not be able to please you with flowering this season. Plants that are too young do not bloom either. You need to wait 2–3 years.

Sometimes the incorrect composition of the soil affects it. It happens that over time, alkalization or, on the contrary, acidification of the soil occurs due to improperly selected fertilizing, as well as due to salts contained in irrigation water.

A few months after flowering, the fruits of the hemanthus ripen

Rest period

In autumn, after flowering, the plant needs rest. From September, you need to gradually reduce watering, stop fertilizing, and it is advisable to move the pot with hemanthus into a room with a temperature of 11-15°C for a couple of months. If there are no such conditions, simply reduce watering to a minimum, but make sure that the soil in the pot does not dry out.

Some varieties of hemanthus can shed their leaves for the winter, as does hippeastrum. Don't be alarmed by this phenomenon. Send the bulb to winter directly with the pot for 1.5–2 months (check once or twice to see if the soil is dry), and then place it again on the windowsill under the first spring sun.

Diseases and pests

To prevent the development of pathogenic microorganisms, it is necessary to comply with the conditions of keeping the plants and to prevent hypothermia of the earthen clod, excessive soil moisture for a long time, sudden changes in temperature, and stagnation of air.

Control of diseases and pests of hemanthus at home - table

White-flowered haemanthus (Haemanthus albiflos) is a bulbous perennial plant from the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). Hemanthus grows in South Africa among bushes and on the slopes of rocky mountains.

During the season, two wide leaves, rounded at the end, usually grow. Because of their shape, the plant is also called “deer tongue” or “cow tongue”. When grown indoors, they grow up to thirty centimeters in length and remain green almost the entire year. In their homeland they die off during the dry period.

Hemanthus and other bulbous plants, characteristic of the nature of southern Africa, awaken during the rainy season and enliven the desert terrain and rocky slopes with bright colors.
In the north, in rooms in September-October, when there is fog and snow and rain outside the windows, a low, strong arrow with an unusual inflorescence in the form of a ball appears between the leaves. The flowers are white, numerous, yellow anthers with long stamen filaments.

They bloom at the same time; the plant decorates the room for 2-3 months. At the age of 4-5 years, 2-3 flower arrows appear on the bulbs. Hemanthuses look very beautiful not only during flowering, but also remain decorative for a long time after the plant - orange-red juicy berries are formed on it. Once ripe, they fall to the ground.

The transparent seeds contain a large amount of liquid, so they easily germinate within a month in almost any substrate. Young shoots gradually take root in the soil; it only needs to be slightly loosened. Interestingly, they are not directed towards the light, like all plants, but in the opposite direction.

Young hemanthuses develop quickly, in the first year they form bulbs and form leaves.
After fruiting, the plants enter a dormant stage, which lasts about two months. At this time, the old leaves dry out, and only in spring new leaves grow.

The flowers are small, the perianth is reduced, so only the stamen filaments and anthers are visible, the inflorescence is a dense umbrella on a succulent, short, leafless peduncle (5-7 cm)

The plant is unpretentious and blooms well every year in dry and warm rooms. Keep it in the light and shade it in the summer (the leaves may be damaged by direct sunlight).

The leaves are dark green, strictly opposite, thick, short, with rounded tops, 15-20 cm long and 6-9 cm wide, collected in a double-sided rosette of 2-4 (6) pieces.

Water moderately; feed during the period of growth and flowering. In winter, they are placed in a cool, bright place (temperature no higher than 15 o C) and watered even less often than in summer.
In the spring, at the beginning of growth, young specimens are transplanted into leaf and turf soil mixed with clay and sand. The bulbs are only half covered. For adult plants, the soil is changed after two to three years.

Propagated by seeds and seedlings, which are formed at the base of large bulbs.

Features of cultivation and care:

The plant is replanted after 2-3 years or when the pot becomes too small; when replanting, it is important not to bury the bulbs, but to plant them almost superficially, deepening them by 1/4-1/3. For this, it is better to use wide, shallow containers.

Composition of the soil mixture: turf soil; leaf soil; humus; sand in a ratio of 1:2:1:1, respectively.

Acidity (pH): slightly acidic (5.0-6.0), neutral (6.0-7.0)

During one period of growth, hemanthus produces no more than 2 leaves, so if the plant for some reason has lost them, then new ones will grow only in the next season;
too much drying of the substrate leads to deterioration of flowering;
if wintering is too warm, the development of leaves and flowers is delayed;
when the substrate becomes waterlogged, the bulb easily rots;
can be damaged by aphids and spider mites.

Hemanthus is a plant of the amaryllis family native to Africa. Perennial, propagated by bulbs. It has short, dense leaves with a rough surface, resembling a tongue, which is why its second name is deer tongue, as well as bloody flower due to its bright red color. Hemanthus blooms with small flowers collected in a rather dense umbrella.

The stamens give it an elegant and exotic look, as they stand out above the inflorescences and have a beautiful bright yellow color. Another name for it is elephant ear.

Hemanthus is a bulbous plant. Discovered by Carl Linnaeus in the 15th century, but for a long time was not recognized as a separate plant species. This recognition only occurred in the 17th century, two centuries after its discovery.

Externally, hemanthus resembles amaryllis, which many people grow as an indoor plant that is familiar to us. The main difference between hemanthus and its fellow species - amaryllis and clivia - is the unusual nature of the flowers. They are small and collected in umbrellas, and some of their types emit a not very pleasant aroma. The leaves, depending on the type of plant, can be smooth, rough, or even have a sticky surface. There is a photo of the flower on our website.

Today, 21 representatives of the genus Hemanthus are known. They all come from the tropics. Any of them can become a houseplant with proper work and care. One flower sheds its leaves in winter, the other hemanthus has lush foliage all year round. The latter are more suitable for artificial cultivation at home. The price of the plant may vary depending on the rarity of the species. The most famous types:

• White-flowered hemanthus. Has the least decorative flowers of all varieties. But nevertheless, they are quite charming, like all other species. This type is most suitable for indoor floriculture. But other types of hemanthus have brighter and more exotic colors: crimson, orange, red. Thanks to this, they have great decorative value. Hemanthus white-flowered has dense, rather wide leaves, with small hairs along the edges of each leaf. The flowers are white with bright yellow stamens. The inflorescences are very dense, which is why many flowers look like one big one. Flowering period is August-January.
• Hemanthus multiflora. It has large crimson or red flowers on a long peduncle, which have a coconut scent. They can be cut and used to make decorative bouquets. Blooms in spring.
• Hemanthus Catarina blooms with bright crimson and red large flowers, and this flowering is very abundant. It grows wild in South Africa.
• Hemanthus lindena. Its wild representatives are found in the Congo. The flowers are bright red.
• Hemanthus pomegranate. Blooms in summer.
• Hemanthus tiger. It has spotted broad leaves and bright red small flowers.

Keep in mind that only these species are suitable for home breeding - white-flowered and Catarina's hemanthus.

Reproduction of hemanthus

Hemanthus reproduces by bulbs. They are quite large and green in color. After rooting such a baby bulb, the plant will bloom in the 4-5th year of its “independent” life. At the same time, the bulb tends to release arrows to the surface, forming small daughter bulbs. The flower also develops into a seed pod from which a new hemanthus can grow.

Gemanthus begins to bloom in July or August. And in September, the ovary of future seed pods appears, which fully ripen by November-December. Then they can be collected for further cultivation. But it should be borne in mind that the period of seed germination is very limited. Therefore, it is necessary to sow immediately after collecting the seeds. They are sown on the surface without going deep, this is similar to how ferns reproduce. White-flowered hemanthus can also be propagated by leaf cuttings.

Every year, the plant loses two old leaves and replaces them with a pair of new ones. If the leaves fall off ahead of time for some reason, you will have to wait the required period for new ones to grow. Most often, leaves and flowers appear at the same time.

Home care

Our so-called deer tongue is quite easy to care for. The main thing for him is sufficient lighting and moderate air temperature. It does not tolerate excessive soil moisture; this must be monitored, avoiding excessive watering. It is important to ensure drainage. Also necessary care conditions:

• Moderate watering. Moreover, in cold weather the flower consumes little water, and the hemanthus falls asleep for 1-2 months. In summer, it requires abundant soil moisture. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the accumulation of moisture in the trays; the water from them must be drained regularly. After draining, keep in mind that the next watering will need to be done only when the top layer of soil dries 1-2 cm. If the drying is short-lived, the hemanthus will easily tolerate it. He doesn't need spraying. During the dormant period, watering should be limited to once a week.
• When hemanthus is actively growing, it needs fertilizer. During the period of active growth and flowering, you need to fertilize once every 2-3 weeks. In this case, the plant will accept both organic and mineral compounds well. When the plant is dormant, it does not need to be fertilized.
• Transplantation of hemanthus. Does not tolerate transplantation well. Even a slight injury to the root system can lead to the death of a flower, so it is better not to replant it at all until it reaches 3-4 years. Once they reach “adult” age, they should be replanted in the spring, before flowering begins. This should be done no more than once every 2-3 years. The pot should be taken, increasing it by 1-2 sizes compared to the previous one. The shape of the container should be wide and shallow. Good drainage is required at the bottom; it should be selected 2-3 cm larger than the diameter of the bulb. When transplanting, the bulbs are buried at 3/4 of their height. The soil needs to be light and saturated with air. It is made up of equal amounts of turf, leaf humus, river sand and peat substrate.
• When daughter bulbs appear on the soil surface, do not separate them immediately, but after at least one general flowering - this plant looks great in a group. The positive energy of hemanthus only intensifies from this.
• Lighting. Gemanthus loves abundant light, but if it bears the name of Katarina, then it is better to protect it from direct sunlight. If the species belongs to evergreen varieties, then a lot of light is not needed, however, complete shade is unacceptable.
• Air temperature. Room temperature is the optimal solution. On average it is 18-22 degrees above zero. In winter, when hemanthus does not bloom, the temperature can be lowered to 12-15 degrees. Keep in mind that if the hemanthus is white-flowered, then it does not have a dormant period, so in this case the temperature does not drop.
• How long does the flower's dormant period last? Usually from October to February. You should start preparing for it in September, gradually limiting watering the plant. The leaves begin to curl and dry out and need to be removed regularly. During this period, it is good to keep hemanthus at a temperature of 10-15 degrees in a shaded place. This care closer to spring will give you beautiful flowers at home.
• The plant does not like drafts, and it is unacceptable for the plant to be exposed to precipitation.
• Indoor dust is harmful to the flower; the leaves should be wiped regularly.
• Trimming. Only dried leaves and the remaining peduncle after the flowering period are trimmed.
• Why doesn't hemanthus bloom? This question is asked by many amateur flower growers. Keep in mind that if hemanthus does not bloom, the reason may be insufficient watering or lack of a dormant period. And also because of this, leaves do not grow.

Diseases

Care also includes the destruction of pests on the hemanthus. Although pests rarely attack hemanthus, diseases do too. Amaryllis scale insects, fungus, or stagonospora may appear. It may also be threatened by spider mites and scale insects. What to do in these cases?

Generally, the higher the temperature, the more likely the plant will be damaged. To get rid of pests, you need to wash the leaves with a soapy solution and then wash off the foam along with the insects with a stream of water. Then you need to spray with an insecticidal preparation, preferably Karbofos. The flower growers forum will reveal all the secrets of caring for hemanthus at home.

Spider mites infect the plant, leaving brown spots on its leaves. After this, the leaves dry out and turn yellow. Getting rid of it is quite difficult. Treatment with laundry soap and insecticides helps.

If the hemanthus is affected by stagonospora or fungus, the damaged leaves should be removed and the remaining healthy ones should be treated with insecticides. Then you should provide it with brighter lighting and good watering.

Gray coating on the leaves means the water is too hard to water the plant.

And in conclusion, I would like to note for those who believe in astrology that, according to astrologers, growing hemanthus is suitable for Virgos and is strictly contraindicated for Leos.