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Zephyranthes

Phonetic Spelling
zeh-fih-RANTH-eez
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Rain Lily is a bulbous perennial in the Amaryllis family that is native to southern North America south to Central and South America. There are over 70 species along with numerous hybrids and cultivars. In the wild, plants often burst into bloom immediately following periods of significant rain, hence the common name. 

These bulbs prefer well-drained soils in sun to part shade and bloom in spring, summer or fall depending on the species. Many bloom from summer to fall. The flowers come in white, yellow, and shades of pink. Most have grass-like foliage but some species have wider leaves. They are listed as hardy in zones 7-10 but some may tolerate colder temperatures.

Use in rock gardens, borders, walkways or small spaces. They can also be used in containers and brought indoors if desired.

Additional Zephyranthes Images at Juniper Level Botanic Garden

 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County Water Garden Water Wheel Pitcher Plant Planter
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apricot Queen'
  • 'Big Shot'
  • 'Bombay'
  • 'La Buffa Rosea'
  • 'Libra'
  • 'Panama Pink' × flaggii
  • 'Pink Panther'
  • 'Prairie Sunset'
  • Starfrost
'Apricot Queen', 'Big Shot', 'Bombay', 'La Buffa Rosea', 'Libra', 'Panama Pink' × flaggii, 'Pink Panther', 'Prairie Sunset', Starfrost
Tags:
#fragrant#bulb#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#small spaces#white flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#mass planting#long bloom time#rock garden#border front#small group plantings#butterfly friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apricot Queen'
  • 'Big Shot'
  • 'Bombay'
  • 'La Buffa Rosea'
  • 'Libra'
  • 'Panama Pink' × flaggii
  • 'Pink Panther'
  • 'Prairie Sunset'
  • Starfrost
'Apricot Queen', 'Big Shot', 'Bombay', 'La Buffa Rosea', 'Libra', 'Panama Pink' × flaggii, 'Pink Panther', 'Prairie Sunset', Starfrost
Tags:
#fragrant#bulb#showy flowers#deciduous#poisonous#small spaces#white flowers#pink flowers#yellow flowers#mass planting#long bloom time#rock garden#border front#small group plantings#butterfly friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Zephyranthes
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southern USA, Mexico, South America
    Distribution:
    Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are usually 6 petaled and crocus-like or open flat. Some are nocturnal blooming. Some species are fragrant. Flowers range in size from 1-3 inches. Most of the ones in cultivation do not require the rain/drought scenario found in nature to bloom. They also bloom at different times of the year depending on the species.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Many have clumps of narrow grass-like green leaves but some have wider leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth green stems 4-10 inches
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Digestive signs of vomiting and diarrhea if the bulbs are eaten.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Phenanthridine alkaloids including lycorine, galantine, and tazettine
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots
    Stems