Plant DetailShow Menu

Zephyranthes candida is often confused with:
Crocus Crocus
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Betonica officinalis 2 lipped purple red flowers
Osmanthus fragrans Close up of leaves and flowers
x Heucherella Heucherella

Fairy Lily Zephyranthes candida

Other plants called Fairy Lily:

Phonetic Spelling
ze-fi-RANTH-eez KAN-did-uh
Description

Rain Lily is a flowering bulb that is native to South America.  It is grown as a perennial in Zones 7 through 10 and may remain in the landscape as an evergreen.  In cooler climates it must be dug up before the first frost and stored in an indoor location through the winter months.  It should be kept cool and dry while stored.  If planting in containers, they should be moved indoors to a cool but frost free area and provided with just enough moisture to keep the soil from drying out totally. 

In its native habitat, the showy, white, crocus-like flowers will bloom after a rainstorm, hence the common name. 

Plant in specimen clumps, along walkways, in rock gardens or in the fronts of borders.  It also works well in containers on a patio or as a houseplant.

Offsets can be separated in the spring.  To prevent from reseeding, cut the flowers back at the base after they have bloomed and faded.  Seed can be collected from the center of the flower after the petals drop.

Although they can be grown in part shade, full sun will provide the best performance.  In locations that experience extreme heat, protection from afternoon sun will help avoid dieback of the foliage and hampered floral displays. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant problems:  No serious issues, however watch for slugs and snails.  Spider mites may also affect this plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Container Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#hardy#bulb#houseplant#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#semi-evergreen#perennial bulbs#interiorscape#herbaceous#pest resistant#herbaceous perennial#hardy bulb#rock garden#clumping#border front#flowers late summer#walkway planting#wet soils tolerant#flowers early fall#salt intolerant#container plant#perennial#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#hardy#bulb#houseplant#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#semi-evergreen#perennial bulbs#interiorscape#herbaceous#pest resistant#herbaceous perennial#hardy bulb#rock garden#clumping#border front#flowers late summer#walkway planting#wet soils tolerant#flowers early fall#salt intolerant#container plant#perennial#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Zephyranthes
    Species:
    candida
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Buffer
    Defines Paths
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    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
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Silvery white flowers 1"-2" across with orange stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Narrow, bright green grass-like leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Grass-like upright stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Diseases
    Drought
    Insect Pests
    Poor Soil
    Wet Soil