The bulbs are best suited to a shallow 25 cm diameter plastic or terracotta pot, and are planted with the top of the neck of the bulb exposed just above ground level. The growing medium must be very well drained and should preferably be a mix of equal parts of coarse river sand and industrial sand (swimming pool sand), with a layer of fine, well-decomposed compost placed at the bottom of the pot. Ensure that large stone chips are placed over the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot to prevent the soil medium from washing out.

The bulbs are planted in early autumn after which they should be given a good watering, and then not again until the flower buds and leaves begin to appear, whereafter they can be watered well every two weeks. For best results, place the pots in a position where they will receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Resist the temptation to water more frequently as this plant detests constantly wet feet, which will soon lead to rotting of the roots and bulbs. Towards the end of spring, as temperatures rise, the leaves will begin to yellow, and watering must then cease completely to allow the soil medium to dry out. The pots can then be stored in a cool dry place for the summer months.

The easiest method of propagating Strumaria truncata is by seed, as offsets form rather slowly, if at all. Seed is produced in large quantities and there is no need to hand-pollinate the flowers, as they are self-fertile. Seeds are ready to be harvested once they are easily detached from the ripe capsules, but be careful not to squash them, as they are fleshy and easily damaged. Sow the seeds in the same medium recommended for cultivating bulbs. Sprinkle them evenly and thinly over the soil medium and then cover them with about 3 mm of the medium. Water well with a fine rose and place in a protected position with good air circulation and which receives morning sun. Once the seeds have germinated and produced their first leaves (within 10-12 days), water them well every two weeks. Seedlings generally flower for the first time during their third season, but under ideal conditions flowers may appear during the second year of growth.

Strumaria truncata is generally pest- and disease-free, but mealy bugs do attack the leaf bases and are best treated by drenching the soil medium with a chlorpyriphos solution during the growing period. Lily borer (also known as amaryllis caterpillar) occasionally attacks the foliage and can be combatted by spraying the foliage with a carbaryl-based insecticide in severe infestations.

Bulbs and seeds of Strumaria truncata are difficult to obtain, but specialist bulb nurseries such as those which advertise in Veld & Flora, the quarterly journal of the Botanical Society of South Africa, do occasionally list them.