Water
Water thoroughly when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry, but allow it to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering significantly during its dormant period in winter. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
Also known as Blood Lily · Bloodlily · Fireball Lily
Safety note: This plant may be toxic to humans and pets. See toxicity details.
Football Lily (Scadoxus multiflorus) is a striking bulbous plant from Africa, known for its large, spherical red flower heads resembling a football.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Bright, Indirect
75% intensity
Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct, harsh sunlight which can scorch leaves.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce in winter.
Well-draining, fertile soil
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers average room temperatures between 18-24°C. Protect from frost and cold drafts.
Moderate
50% intensity
Feed during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Toxic if ingested
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water thoroughly when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry, but allow it to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering significantly during its dormant period in winter. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
Remove spent flower stalks immediately after blooming to prevent seed formation and encourage further flowering. Trim any yellowing or dead foliage as needed. No major pruning is typically required.
Easily propagated from offsets or bulb divisions. Separate offsets during repotting in spring. Seeds can also be sown, but germination is slow and may not produce true-to-type plants.
Repot every 2-3 years in spring, or when the pot becomes crowded. Use a well-draining potting mix. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one to avoid overwatering.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Football Lily (Scadoxus multiflorus)
Where Football Lily (Scadoxus multiflorus) is found

Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Genus | Scadoxus |
| Species | Scadoxus multiflorus |
Similar in genus Scadoxus
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data