Rain lily starts to bloom in late summer after a period of rain.
Rain lily(Zephryanthes)is a genus of about 70 species in the amaryllis family.
The plants are native to southern North America, Central America, and South America.
The white rain lily (Zephryanthes candida) is one of the most popular varieties.
Native to South America, it can be grown as a perennial above Zone 7.
It is also suitable for container growing.
The rain lily has grassy, strappy foliage and erect, funnel-shaped flowers up to 4 inches across.
The flowers only open from midday to the afternoon.
The plant is toxic to humans and pets.
Pair rain lily with other low-growingperennial groundcovers.
It will pop up through these plants for vertical interest in early spring.
Rain lily also grows well in containers.
Potting withlantanaand lysimachia makes for a striking color combo.
Loosen the soil at least 1 inch deeper than the planting depth to encourage deep root development.
Water well after planting and cover the soil with a 1-inch layer of fine mulch.
Light
Rain lily grows best in full sun.
It does not flower well in shade.
Only water plants during extreme dry periods.
The plant is not frost-tolerant.
It thrives in humid climates but may struggle in hot arid climates.
Pruning
No pruning or trimming is needed.
After the bloom, the plants go dormant, and it is important that the foliage dies back naturally.
Rain lilies do well when fitting snugly.
Fill it with a mixture of well-draining potting soil and compost.
Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering than plants in the garden soil.
Pests and Problems
Except forsnails and slugs, this plant is free of serious pests and diseases.
How to Propagate
Rain lily is easy to propagate from the offsets that grow on mature bulbs.
Gently remove the offsets and replant them in a new location or pot.
Offset bulbs are often small and should be planted slightly shallower than regular-size bulbs.
The plant grows 12 inches tall.
It is native to Mexico, Colombia.
Zone 7-10
Yellow Rain Lily
Zephyranthes citrinais a golden yellow-flowering rain lily species.
It iswell-adapted to hot weatherand blooms between August and October when other flowers are struggling in the heat.
In warm climates, the strappy, narrow foliage persists all year long.
The flowers sit atop 8-inch stalks.
All sedums are easy to grow and require very little maintenance.
Creeping Thyme
The ground-huggingcreeping thymeis adaptable to a range of light conditions and soil types.
For a change from the usual lavender-colored thyme, try white flowering creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllumAlbus).
Most varieties of creeping thyme grow perennially in Zone 4-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
After the first fall frost, dig the bulbs.
Discard any that are bruised or diseased.
Bury them in a cardboard box filled with slightly moist peat or vermiculite.
Keep them at temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees F over the winter before replanting them in the spring.
The culprit might be lack of sunlight or age.
It often takes a season or two until the bulbs starts blooming.
Since they are perennials, these flowers only need to be planted once within their hardiness zones.
They will live for 3-5 years in your garden.
The sweet, subtle scent of rain lilies attract beautiful pollinators, from bees to butterflies.
Although they might also draw in slugs or spider mites, they are generally pest-free.
Rain lilies are not considered invasive.
However, they can quickly spread on their own once they are established in the garden.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
“Pink Rain Lily.
“University of Wisconsin-Madison.
