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Eucharis amazonica Amazon Lily, Eucharist Lily

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

Introduction

Amazon lily forms tight, compact rosettes of deep green, glossy leaves up to several inches wide, and tall spikes of fragrant, long-lasting, waxy, white flowers. They make nice container plants for a shaded deck or patio or can be planted among other small plants in a rock garden. They have also been used as a groundcover planted two to three feet apart.

Full Form - Eucharis amazonica: Amazon Lily, Eucharist Lily
Figure 1. Full Form - Eucharis amazonica: Amazon Lily, Eucharist Lily
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

 

Flower - Eucharis amazonica: Amazon Lily, Eucharist Lily
Figure 2. Flower - Eucharis amazonica: Amazon Lily, Eucharist Lily
Credit: Edward F. Gilman, UF/IFAS

General Information

Scientific name: Eucharis amazonica

Pronunciation: YOO-kuh-riss am-uh-ZOE-nick-uh

Common name(s): Amazon lily, Eucharist lily

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Plant type: bulb/tuber; perennial; herbaceous

USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Figure 3)

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Uses: ground cover; accent

Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Figure 3. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Credit:

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet

Plant habit: spreading; upright

Plant density: moderate

Growth rate: moderate

Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: most emerge from the soil, usually without a stem

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: ovate

Leaf venation: parallel

Leaf type and persistence: semi-evergreen

Leaf blade length: 8 to 12 inches; 12 to 18 inches; 18 to 36 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no fall color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white

Flower characteristic: winter flowering; spring flowering; showy; pleasant fragrance

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown

Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch

Fruit cover: dry or hard

Fruit color: unknown

Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable

Current year stem/twig color: not applicable

Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in the shade

Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; acidic; sand; loam; clay

Soil salt tolerances: poor

Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable

Winter interest: plant has winter interest due to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy winter trunk, or winter flowers

Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

Native to the Andes of Columbia and Peru—not the Amazon—Amazon lily requires shade for its tender leaves and looks best when grown in rich, moist organic matter. Amazon lily should be kept on the dry side during the winter to stimulate flowering. Amazon lily can remain undisturbed for many years, blooming better under crowded conditions, whether in a pot or in large, outdoor clumps.

Propagation is by division.

Pest and Diseases

Problems include caterpillars, spider mites, and bulb mites.

Amazon lily is occasionally bothered by viruses and bulb rot.

Publication #FPS198

Release Date:October 24, 2023

Related Collections

Part of Shrubs Fact Sheets

Related Topics

  • Critical Issue: Agricultural and Food Systems
Organism ID

About this Publication

This document is FPS198, one of a series of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 1999. Revised October 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus; Ryan W. Klein, assistant professor, arboriculture; and Gail Hansen, professor, sustainable landscape design; Department of Environmental Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

 

Contacts

  • Gail Hansen de Chapman