Red Spider Lily Lycoris radiata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Amaryllis radiata
- Phonetic Spelling
- LY-kor-iss ray-dee-AY-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The red spider lily is a cultivated, late summer blooming perennial bulb in the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis) family. The flowers emerge on 1 to 2 feet tall scapes in late summer to early fall. The blooms are an umbel with 4 to 6 showy striking red flowers, and each flower is about 2 inches long and has reflexed tepals with exserted stamens that resemble spider legs. After the flowers bloom and fade, the leaves will emerge. The leaves are grayish-green and strap-like and will remain evergreen over the winter and die back in late spring.
The red spider lily is native to China, Japan, Korea, and Nepal. It is usually found in shady, moist areas along slopes and rocky areas near stream banks.
The genus name Lycoris is in honor of the Roman actress and mistress of Mark Antony. The species name radiata is Latin for "spoke" referring to the flower tepals that spread out like the spokes on a wheel. These lilies have many common names like surprise lily, or naked lily because they lose their leaves and the flowers follow on naked stems leading to a surprise in the landscape. The common name hurricane lily is derived from the fact that the plants bloom during hurricane season.
Plant the bulbs with the neck exposed, spaced 6 to 12 inches apart, in rich, moist well-drained soils. In the dormant season it is best if the soil remains fairly dry. Situate the bulbs in full sun to partial shade, though the best flowering will occur in partial shade. This bulb naturalizes easily through offsets and it is quite long-lived. They range from semi-hardy (damaged below 28°F/ -2°C) to hardy (injured below 5°F/ -5°C).
In the landscape, it would be best to incorporate these bulbs in a mixed ground cover or flowerbed so that their starkness will not be so readily apparent. Mass plant it along a walkway, in a courtyard garden, in front of a border, or in other small spaces. It does well to naturalize or plant alongside a lawn. These bulbs require an extensive root system to produce flowers; therefore, if container planting is being considered be sure the size is adequate.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Late Summer and Early Fall Foliage: Fall and Winter
Quick ID Hints:
- flower appears on tall naked scapes from August to September as an umbel of 4 to 7 showy, bright red tubed blooms, recurved, and the stamens are exserted
- grayish green leaves emerge in October, remain evergreen over winter, and dieback in the spring
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems insect or disease problems. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
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:
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- '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:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lycoris
- Species:
- radiata
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Japan, Korea, and Nepal
- Distribution:
- Native: China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan, Korea, and Nepal. Introduced: United States--AL, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, and VA; Nansei-Shoto, and Seychelles
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Bulb Storage:
- Store bulbs dry at 45-55°F
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Tepals
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers terminal, 4-6, nodding, on a naked stem 1 to 2 feet tall. Flowers are 6-parted, red, funnel-shaped, the lobes strongly reflexed and wavy. The stamens are exserted and resemble spider legs. Blooms in late summer to early fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are basal, narrowly strap-like, and fleshy. Remain throughout the winter and dieback in the spring.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans