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Hymenocallis

Phonetic Spelling
hy-men-oh-KAL-liss
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Native to the southern US and South America, this North Carolina native bulb has fragrant flowers that are produced on leafless stems, thereby being classified as scapose.  The onion-like bulbs prefer rich, well-drained soil, and most thrive with boggy conditions and occasional flooding.  It will tolerate sandy or clay soil, providing that moisture is consistent.  Allowing the soil to dry out will cause damage to this plant.

They can be planted in the ground or in containers.  Growing zones 7 through 10 are ideal for planting in the ground.  In locations that experience cooler or colder winter temperatures, container growing will allow you to bring plants in during the winter months.  Ground planted bulbs can also be dug up in the winter, dried and stored in a dry medium, such as peat.  

Plant bulbs to a depth of 5 in. (12.5 cm) with the tip of the bulb 1" to 3" below the soil and space 8 in. (20 cm) apart.  For container grown bulbs, plant with the neck of the bulb just above the soil surface.  Typically, a single bulb will perform nicely in a 5" pot.

After flowering the stems will dry and turn brown.  At that time the stems can be cut to ground level.   

In addition to being used as a houseplant or interiorscape, spider lily can be found it forests or other natural area, such as marshes, shallow streams, and ditches. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.  Occasional issues with snails, caterpillars and mealy bugs can occur.

Additional Hymenocallis Images at Juniper Level Botanic Garden

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Advance', 'Caroliniana', 'Crassifolia', 'Festalis', 'Nancissiflona', 'Occidentalis', 'Sulfur Queen', 'Tropical Giant', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#cultivars#hummingbird friendly#bulb#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#water garden#rain garden#fragrant flowers#houseplant#drought tolerant#perennial bulbs#salt tolerant#rabbit resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#cutting garden#dried arrangements#wet soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flood tolerant#showy#butterfly garden#boggy sites#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Advance', 'Caroliniana', 'Crassifolia', 'Festalis', 'Nancissiflona', 'Occidentalis', 'Sulfur Queen', 'Tropical Giant', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#cultivars#hummingbird friendly#bulb#showy flowers#poisonous#full sun tolerant#water garden#rain garden#fragrant flowers#houseplant#drought tolerant#perennial bulbs#salt tolerant#rabbit resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#cutting garden#dried arrangements#wet soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flood tolerant#showy#butterfly garden#boggy sites#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hymenocallis
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    USA, NC, South America
    Distribution:
    Southern Coastal Plain
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Food Source
    Bulb Storage:
    Place container-grown plants indoors and grow them at 55-65 degrees F (13-18C). To store unplanted bulbs, harvest them carefully, leaving soil around the roots, and store dry at 60-70 degrees F (16-21C)
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Water Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are fragrant, white or ivory, 6-parted, and funnel-shaped. Six (6) stamens are connected at base with a thin white membrane.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Arising directly from the bulb, the long, fleshy, basal, strap-like foliage. The leaves can be erect or arching, bright green to blue/green. Depending on the location, they can be deciduous or evergreen.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Description:
    Thick, two-edged or rounded, leafless stalk or stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poison Part: Bulbs Poison Delivery Mode:  Ingestion Symptoms:  Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Lycorine and other phenanthridine alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Roots