Haemanthus is belong to Amaryllidaceae family. It is one of the most interesting, endemic southern African genuses. This genus consists of twenty two species, which majority occur in South Africa. All the species are perennial, bulbous geophytes. They produce a dense cluster of red, pink or white flowers.

Haemanthus albiflos is the most known evergreen species of Haemanthus. Genus name Haemanthus is derived from the Greek “haima”: blood and “anthos”: flower, referring to the red flowers of most species. Albiflos refers to the white flowers of this species. Paint Brush naturally grows at South and East Cape, also northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

In late autumn and winter, brush-like umbels comprising multiple tiny white florets are borne on stout stems, followed by fleshy white oval fruits.

Haemanthus albiflos is a perennial, bulbous geophyte, grows up to 30 cm high and 15 cm wide. The bright, oblong leaves vary in colour from pale to dark green or greyish-green. Plant has a long flowering period from beginning of autumn through mid-winter in the wild. Under cultivation sporadic blooms may appear at any time of the year. The flower head is compact, 30-50 mm wide, consists of numerous erect, narrow white flowers. The erect stamens protrude beyond the tips of the flowers and their anthers turn bright yellow or orange when ripe. Attractive fleshy fruits are bright orange or red in colour.

Paint Brush likes fertile, well drained medium and shade position. Plant likes to remain undisturbed for many years once established. It is not much hardy, withstands -4˚C only for a short time. It has to be kept at warm place in countries with cold winter conditions. Propagation of Haemanthus albiflos is either by seed or by separation of offsets from old clumps.

Use in Landscape: Paint Brush with its handsome leaves, long flowering season and red berries is an excellent choice for shady spots in the warm climate gardens. It is ideal for a shady rock garden or under the shade of large trees. They can be left into the same place to multiply for many years.

Haemanthus albiflos is also use as a pot plant. It does not need deep pot as the roots of the plant spread out horizontally. Potted plants can be grown successfully on a shady balcony or veranda. It is also suitable as an indoor plant, but should be protected from direct sunlight. Plants like to become pot bound and mature bulbs flower every year. If the flowering performance starts to diminish after some years, plant needs to be dividing.