Crinum

( KRYE - num )

At-A-Glance Information

These perennials grow from bulb, and need some shade in warmer climates to perform well in the garden. They appreciate regular to ample water. Crinums produce lush foliage and large flowers that resemble Lilies. They can be evergreen in mild climates if given enough water, and the foliage clump produces stems 4 feet tall or more topped with clusters of flowers. Many species are highly fragrant, and flowers come in white and shades of pink and red, sometimes with striped petals. Most bloom in spring and summertime. Use Crinums as specimens, in mixed beds or borders, or in mass plantings. Take care when planting these beautiful flowers in your the, as plant parts (especially the bulbs) of most species are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Crinum Species and Varietals

The genus Crinum is a member of the plant family Amaryllidaceae and includes over 100 species. Various plants that used to be included in this genus are now members of genera Agapanthus, Cyrtahnthus, Hippeastrum, and Urceolina. These plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 7-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1, H2 (or in any zone as an indoor houseplant). To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

x Amarcrinum (Crinodonna Lily, Amarcrinum, Hardy Amaryllis)
This group of hybrids is derived from crosses between Crinum and Amaryllis, and contains many cultivars with various flower colors. Leaves are typically green, and plants produce large umbels of long-lasting fragrant flowers on tall scapes that rise above foliage. Cultivars are listed below.

'Born Free'
With white flowers; prolific bloomer.

'Delkin's Find'
With graceful, light pink blooms with rounded lips.

'Dorothy Hannibal'
With pink flowers.

'Fred Howard'
With irregular pink flowers. Most common cultivar of the group.

Crinum americanum (Florida Swamp-Lily, String Lily, Southern Swamp Crinum, Seven Sisters)
This species prefers to grow in small colonies in still water habitats, and are native to North America, Central America, and South America. Flowers are white, and the thin petals droop from the inflorescence. These plants form colonies over time, especially in consistently moist soils.

Crinum asiaticum (Poison Bulb, Giant Crinum Lily, Grand Crinum Lily, Spider Lily)
This species is used as an ornamental garden plant in warmer regions, and is native to East Asia, tropical Asia, Australia, and the islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. These perennials reach 4 feet tall when in bloom, and produce fragrant white flowers. Giant Crinum Lily is considered invasive in Florida, Louisiana, Hawai'i, the West Indies, Mexico, and various Pacific Islands.

Crinum bulbispermum (Crinum longifolium) (Hardy Swamplily, Orange River-Lily, Milk-and-Wine Lily)
Native to South Africa, this species produces gray-green leaves that tend to lie on the ground. Deep pink flowers are wonderfully fragrant, and bloom atop tall stems in spring and summertime. These plants thrive in moist soils and wet climates, and do well around bodies of water. Ornamental garden varieties include 'Alba' (with white flowers), 'Backup Mother' (with medium pink flowers that have white throats), and 'Spotty' (with rose-purple flowers decorated with random spots and unpigmented stripes). This species can be considered invasive in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Crinum latifolium (Milk and Wine Lily, Pink-Striped Trumpet Lily, Wide-Leaved Crinum Lily, Sudarshan)
This herbaceous perennial produces stout flowering stems topped with white flowers. This species is native to Asia, and has naturalized in other places around the world. Individual plants reach up to 3-6 feet tall and wide, and produce clumps of green strap-like leaves.

Crinum macowanii (Cape Coast Lily, River Crinum, Sable Crinum, Pyjama Lily, Sabbaaqqoo, Gitoka, Umduze, Common Vlei-Lily, MacOwan's Crinum Lily)
This deciduous bulbous perennial is one of the most widely spread Crinum species on the African continent. These flowers naturally grow in grasslands, woodlands, and along rivers and coastlines in their native range in South Africa. These plants are considered endangered due to over-harvesting.

Crinum moorei (Moore's Crinum, Natal Lily, Natal Swamplily)
Native to South Africa, these plants have bright green leaves and fragrant bell-shaped soft pink flowers that bloom in spring and summertime. Varieties have white to pinkish-red flowers. This species reaches up to 2-4 feet wide when mature and in bloom, and forms clumps over time.

Crinum pedunculatum (Crinum asiaticum pedunculatum)(Swamp Lily, River Lily, Mangrove Lily)
These plants are native to streams and tidal regions in Australia, New Guinea, and the Pacific Islands. These are large plants, reaching up to 10 feet tall and wide at maturity. Leaves are glossy green and strappy, and flowers are white and are similar in look to those of species Crinum asiaticum and Crinum americanum.

Crinum x powellii (Swamp Lily, Cape Lily, Crinum Lily, Lirio, Lys)
This hybrid was created by crossing species Crinum bulbispermum and Crinum moorei. Fragrant flowers bloom on stems 2 feet tall. Varieties have white, soft pink and dark pink flowers. 'Album' has white flowers and is a vigorous grower. It can be used as a tall groundcover in shaded areas of the garden. Can spread aggressively in warm, moist regions such as the southeastern United States and Hawai'i.

Crinum thaianum (Thai Onion, Water Onion, Thai Onion Plant)
This emergent plant species is native to Thailand and prefers to grow in very wet habitats. The roots and bulbs of these plants are submerged under sediment, and leaves and flowering stems grow to reach the surface. Flowers are white. These plants are often cultivated as aquatic ornamentals in tropical climates and are popular aquarium plants, as well. Individual plants reach up to between 2 to 6.5 feet tall when mature and in bloom.

Caring for Crinum

Take care when planting these beautiful flowers in your the, as plant parts (especially the bulbs) of most species are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Spring and fall are the best time to plant these flowers in your garden. Soil should be amended with generous amounts of organic material and compost before plants are installed. Place bulbs about 2 to 4 feet apart with the tops of the necks just at the soil surface. Make sure to plant these flowers in a space that will not be disturbed; these lilies do not like to be moved once established, and transplanting can delay blooming a year or two. A spot in the garden that receives between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day is ideal for these flowers, though they can tolerate partial shade as well. In warmer climates, they appreciate some late afternoon shade when temperatures are at their height. These plants prefer a soil that has a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0. After planting, mulch around the base with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold.

Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, they are relatively drought-tolerant. For the best blooms, however, make sure these plants are getting irrigated at least once a week, or simply irrigate when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize the planting area yearly with an application of about two inches of compost. Pull back mulch, apply compost, work the compost into the soil, and then water it in. Replace mulch afterwards and add more if necessary. This feeding is enough to carry these plants through their growing and flowering seasons, and they will not need any additional fertilizers. Deadhead plants when flower spikes are spent to neaten their appearance. If collecting seed for sowing in upcoming years, make sure to earmark some plants that will not be deadheaded so they can be harvested for seed. Crinum flowers are considered long-lived perennials, able to survive for decades (even centuries) if cared for properly. Most live for between 5 and 20 years in the garden before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Crinum lilies are best propagated via division, but they can also be propagated from harvesting and sowing seeds. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that the resulting plant may not necessarily be the same as the parent plant the seeds are harvested from, especially if you have a hybrid variety. Crinum lilies grown from seed typically take between 4 to 5 years to begin producing flowers. To propagate your Crinum Lily, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Crinum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods ripen in summer, and can be simply cut off of the plant and placed into a paper bag for temporary storage. They yellow and become wrinkly when they are ready to spill their seeds. Remove seeds from inside the pod. They are best sown immediately.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination is usually pretty quick for these plants, occurring within a few weeks to months after sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until seedlings reach a few inches tall. Young seedlings are best stored in a shaded area of a greenhouse; direct sun can scorch the developing leaves.

Propagating Crinum by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut back). To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the bulbs. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Identify any bulbils (smaller bulbs) on the sides of the larger main bulbs. These can be removed from the plant and re-sown elsewhere. Make sure to use sterilized, sharp tools for cutting to avoid damaging the bulbs or spreading disease.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your bulbs and water them in thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.