Hymenocallis

( hye - men - oh - KAL - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

These interesting perennial flowers, commonly called Spider Lilies, grow from bulbs and need full sun to partial shade and regular waterings during their growth and bloom periods. Foliage is strappy and green, and the thick flower stems carry a few fragrant blooms each. Flowers have a funnel shaped inner segment and spidery, longer outer segments. They are native to the southern United States and Central and South America. Most of these plants must be grown in a warm greenhouse or sheltered sunny spot where the ground does not freeze in the wintertime. Use these flowers to add interest to beds, grow them as specimens in containers, or use them as cut flowers. Take care when planting these around animals and children, as plant parts are poisonous if ingested.

Hymenocallis Species and Varietals

The genus Hymenocallis is a member of the plant family Amaryllidaceae and includes 65 species. The genus name is derived from the Greek words hymen (meaning membrane) and kalos (meaning beautiful). These flowers grow best in USDA hardiness zones 8-10 or Sunset growing zones 5, 6, 8, 9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Hymenocallis caribaea (Caribbean Spider-Lily, Variegated Spider-Lily)
This species is native to the Caribbean islands and South America, and is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant in tropical areas of the world. Plants produce strappy, variegated green foliage and white flowers with narrowly linear drooping tepals. Each flower head can hold up to 12 blooms. This species is considered invasive in Bermuda.

Hymenocallis choctawensis (Choctaw Spiderlily, Florida Panhandle Spider-Lily)
These plants grow along streambanks and swampy forested areas in western Florida, eastern Louisiana, and the southern parts of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Individual plants reach up to 2 feet tall and produce 30-inch long green, strappy leaves.

Hymenocallis coronaria (Cahaba Lily, Shoal Lily, Shoals Spider-Lily, Rocky Shoals Spider Lily)
This species, native to the southeastern United States, requires an active, shallow water current and direct sun to flourish. These plants reach 3 feet tall, and produce white flowers from early May through June. This species is considered threatened with extinction in its native range.

Hymenocallis x festalis (Peruvian Daffodil, Ismene Lily, Sacred Lily of the Incas, Spider Lily)
This hybrid species of Spider Lily holds about 4 white flowers per stem that have curled outer segments. Plants in this species reach up to between 18 and 30 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide at maturity. Popularly grown cultivar 'Zwanenburg' has larger flowers than the species.

Hymenocallis harrisiana (St. Nicholas Star Spider Lily, Spider Lily)
This rarely cultivated species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 8a-10b or Sunset growing zones 13-17, 19-24 and H1. It is native to Mexico and has fragrant white flowers held on stalks 18-24 inches tall. Leaves are grey-green, and these flowers need moderate water during their growing and blooming periods.

Hymenocallis imperialis (Big Fatty Spider Lily, Imperial Spider Lily, Spider Lily)
This species is native to Mexico, and is cultivated worldwide as a tropical ornamental plant. This species forms an underground bulb, from which sword-shaped green leaves emerge. Flowers can be white or light yellowish, and are large. The specific epithet imperialis means imperial, stately, or grand.

Hymenocallis lirisome (Texas Spider Lily, Western Marsh Spider Lily, Louisiana Marsh Spider-Lily, Spring Spiderlily)
This species is native to Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama (United States). They are commonly found growing in ditches and along the edges of marshland. The flowers are distinguished by a prominent yellow-green eye.

Hymenocallis littoralis (Beach Spider Lily, Tropical Spider Lily, Spider Lily, Peruvian Daffodil)
This species is known to grow along coastlines in Latin America, and has become naturalized in many areas of the world. These plants produce large, white, vanilla-scented flowers in spring and summertime.

Hymenocallis narcissiflora (Ismene calathina) (Basket Flower, Peruvian Daffodil, Sacred Lily of the Incas, Ismene Lily)
This native of the Andes Mountains is the most commonly grown species in the genus, and has white flowers with green stripes held in clusters of 2-5. Cultivar 'Advance' has pure white flowers with faint green throat markings.

Hymenocallis occidentalis (Woodland Spider-Lily, Hammock Spider-Lily, Northern Spider Lily)
This species is native to the southern United States, and is widely cultivated as an ornamental indoor and greenhouse plant due to its striking flowers and wonderful fragrance. Each stem holds between 3 and 9 white flowers with green centers which open one at a time.

Hymenocallis palmeri (Alligator-Lily, Palmer's Spider Lily)
Native to wet meadows, open pine woodlands and roadsides in Florida, these plants produce blue-green foliage and white flowers. Each bloom has a greenish eye at the center, and seeds are green. Individual plants can reach up to 2 feet tall when in bloom.

Hymenocallis speciosa (Green-Tinge Spiderlily, Showy Spider Lily, Winter Spider Lily)
This species is native to the Windward Islands of the Caribbean, and has naturalized elsewhere. These plants reach a few feet tall when in bloom, and produce as many as 20 flowers per stem. Flowers are white and fragrant, with a slight greenish tinge to them. Petals are reflexed. Individual plants reach up to 28 inches tall when mature and in bloom.

Caring for Hymenocallis

Take care when planting Hymenocallis in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets. Plant bulbs in a sunny space in the garden that has some shelter from strong winds. They should ideally be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day, and in warmer climates appreciate some late afternoon shade. Plant bulbs in late fall or early winter if you are in a frost-free, warm-winter area. Otherwise, wait until danger of frost has passed to plant the bulbs. Set bulb tips an inch below the soil surface spaced a foot apart. If you are in a cool-weather area, it is suggested that these flowers are grown in pots, so that they can be brought into a more sheltered location during the colder months of the year. Spider Lilies prefer rich, well draining soil that has a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Add a layer of organic compost to the planting area to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and maintain soil temperatures.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. Mature plants prefer evenly moist soil; as a rule of thumb, irrigate whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch, and make sure that soil is well-draining. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. If given adequate water, foliage will survive all summer long and then die back in fall. After leaves have yellowed, dig up bulbs and dry them with the roots facing up. In temperate regions, they can be mulched over out in the garden to avoid freezing temperatures or grown in containers to be moved for the winter months. Store bulbs in open trays in a cool, dark place until they are ready to be planted again the next season. At the end of the growing season, prune off faded foliage and flowering stems. These plants will form clumps over time, which can be divided when they outgrow their allotted garden space. For instructions on how to divide Spider Lilies, see the Propagation section below.

Growing Hymenocallis in Containers
These flowers do well in the ground, but can also be grown successfully in containers. Choose a pot that is at least 10-12 inches wide and deep, and fill with a well-draining but moisture retentive potting soil amended with plenty of organic material and perlite. Apply a layer of mulch to the top of the soil to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Place the container in a space that receives full sun for most of the day with some late afternoon shade. Water Spider Lilies regularly; those grown in containers will need more frequent waterings than those grown in the ground. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season and deadhead. Cut all foliage back to the ground after it browns completely. After a few years, these flowers can be divided to improve their health and increase airflow in the planting area. For instructions on how to divide Hymenocallis, see the Propagation section below.

Harvesting Hymenocallis
Take care when bringing cut Spider Lilies inside the home, as they are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Hymenocallis make handsome cut flowers, adding unique structure to arrangements. They are typically in season from midsummer through the beginning of fall (July through September). Harvest flowering stems when they have flower buds that are swollen and ready to pop open. They will continue to open after they have been cut. The best time of day to harvest cut flowers is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Make a cut at the base of the flowering stem and drop it into a bucket of cool water. Daylily cut flowers have a vase life of between 7 and 10 days.

Propagation

Hymenocallis, or Spider Lilies, can be propagated either by harvesting and sowing seeds or through division of existing plants. To ensure that the resulting plant has the same characteristics as its parent plant, choose the division method. To propagate your Spider Lily, follow the instructions below.

Propagating Hymenocallis 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 heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. 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 usually takes between a few weeks and a few months from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
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 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Hymenocallis 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 late summertime (after the plant has entered dormancy). To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the bulb(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick bulb section attached.
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 bulbs from cold weather as they acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Hymenocallis seed pods emerge green, turning brown and dry when they are ready to release seeds.

Hymenocallis seeds.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Hymenocallis are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Spider Lily plants can have issues with the following pests and diseases in landscapes and greenhouses: