Hymenocallis
Common Name(s):
- 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'
Pure white flowers with yellow stripes.
'Caroliniana'
- 'Festalis'
White flowers. - 'Nancissiflona'
White flowers.
'Occidentalis'
- 'Sulfur Queen'
Large, yellow flowers. - 'Tropical Giant'
Pure white flowers. - 'Variegata'
Vanilla scented white flowers, variegated leaves.
Pure white flowers. 'Crassifolia'
White flowers.
Large, white flowers. - 'Advance'
- 'Advance', 'Caroliniana', 'Crassifolia', 'Festalis', 'Nancissiflona', 'Occidentalis', 'Sulfur Queen', 'Tropical Giant', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Advance'
Pure white flowers with yellow stripes.
'Caroliniana'
- 'Festalis'
White flowers. - 'Nancissiflona'
White flowers.
'Occidentalis'
- 'Sulfur Queen'
Large, yellow flowers. - 'Tropical Giant'
Pure white flowers. - 'Variegata'
Vanilla scented white flowers, variegated leaves.
Pure white flowers. 'Crassifolia'
White flowers.
Large, white flowers. - 'Advance'
- 'Advance', 'Caroliniana', 'Crassifolia', 'Festalis', 'Nancissiflona', 'Occidentalis', 'Sulfur Queen', 'Tropical Giant', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
-
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)
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Water Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Description:
- Thick, two-edged or rounded, leafless stalk or stems.
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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