Lycoris radiata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- LY-kor-iss ray-dee-AY-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Red spider lily is a cultivated, perennial, bulb in the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family native to Asia. It produces strap-shaped leaves after flowering that remain evergreen during the winter.
The bulbs should be planted 8-in deep, spaced 6-12 in. apart, in well-drained soil and full to afternoon sun. They range from semi-hardy (damaged below 28°F/ -2°C) to hardy (injured below 5°F/ -5°C).
Plant it in flower gardens and lawns.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fire Engine'
Bright red flowers - 'Red Sunset'
Reddish Pink Flowers
- 'Fire Engine'
- 'Fire Engine', 'Red Sunset'
- Tags:


















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fire Engine'
Bright red flowers - 'Red Sunset'
Reddish Pink Flowers
- 'Fire Engine'
- 'Fire Engine', 'Red Sunset'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lycoris
- Species:
- radiata
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- Bulb Storage:
- Store bulbs dry at 45-55°F
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 2 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
-
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers terminal, 4-6, nodding, on a naked stem, 6-parted, red or white tinged with yellow, funnel-shaped, the lobes strongly reflexed and wavy. Blooms in late summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves basal, narrowly strap-like, and fleshy. Remain throughout the winter.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans