Zephyranthes

( zeff - er - RANTH - eez )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering perennials includes species which grow from bulb and need full sun to partial shade and regular water during their growth and blooming periods to perform well. These flowers are commonly called Atamasco Lilies, Zephyr Flowers, Rain Lilies or Fairy Lilies and are native to the Americas. They form clumps of bright green foliage from which hollow stems sprout, each topped with a single blossom. Flowers emerge after rains or increased watering in late summer and early fall. Zephyr Flower is great in rock gardens or as foreground plants in border beds. They are also beautiful in pots on patios or in greenhouses. Take care when planting these flowers in the garden, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets, livestock, and poultry if ingested.

Zephyranthes Species and Varietals

Zephyranthes plants are members of the plant family Amaryllidoideae. The genus includes around 200 distinct species of flowering plants. The best growing zones for Fairy Lily vary depending on the species; for more information see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Zephyranthes atamasca (Atamasco-Lily, Rain Lily)
This species is native to the southeastern United States, where it typically grows in swampy forests and coastal prairies. Blooms are present between March or April. Flower petals are white with green bases. Individual plants reach up to between 6 and 18 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide at maturity when in bloom.

Zephyranthes candida (Autumn Zephyrlily, White Windflower, White Rain Lily, Peruvian Swamp Lily)
Best in zones 4-9, 12-24, H1 and H2, these plants produce white flowers that are sometimes blushed with pink at the throat. They are evergreen in the warmer climates of their zone ranges. Variety 'Prairie Pink' has light apricot blooms that fade to light pink with age.

Zephyranthes carinata (Zephyranthes grandiflora) (Rosepink Zephyr Lily, Pink Rain Lily)
This species of Fairy Lily has very large flowers and grows well in zones 7-9, 12-24, H1 and H2. Flowers are rose-pink and open during the daytime, closing back up when the sun goes down. These are small plants, typically reaching just 4-8 inches tall and wide at maturity.

Zephyranthes chlorosolen (Drummond's Rain-Lily, Evening Rain-Lily, Evening Star Rain Lily, Brazos Rain-Lily, Texas Rainlily, Cebolleta)
These plants are native to the southern United States and Mexico, and are an introduced species in southern Brazil. They typically reach between 7 and 14 inches tall, and individual plants produce just one flower per season. Blooms are primarily white, but will sometimes have pale green flushing. Leaves are dull green.

Zephyranthes citrina (Citron Rainlily, Citron Zephyrlily)
This species grows well in zones 7-9, 12-24, H1 and H2 and produces yellow flowers. These plants are native to Mexico, and typically are found growing in grasslands. Flowers appear in July after rains. These flowers are grown as garden ornamentals, and reach 8-10 inches tall when mature and in bloom.

Zephyranthes drummondii (Evening Rain Lily, Evening Star Rain Lily, Giant Rain Lily, Hill Country Rain Lily, Prairie Lily)
These flowers are native to a range that spans from northwestern Florida to northeastern Mexico, and reach between 6 and 18 inches tall when in bloom. Foliage is blue-green, and flowers are white (sometimes with pink flushing), blooming from March through August.

Zephyranthes formosissima (Sprekelia formosissima) (Aztec Lily, Jacobean Lily)
This perennial species grows from bulb, and is native to Mexico. It was formally transferred into the genus Zephyranthes in 2024. Individual plants reach up to between 16 and 35 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Foliage is strappy and green. Bright red flowers are striking in color and shape, though they are not present every year in most garden situations. When grown in greenhouses, these flowers have a more consistent blooming schedule.

Zephyranthes spp. Hybrids and Cultivars
In addition to the countless species in the genus, there are also many hybrids and cultivars bred for unique flower color, plant size, and hardiness. A sampling of this group is listed below.

'Ajax'

'Apricot Queen'

'Aquarius'

'Bali Beauty'

'Bangkok Yellow'

'Bayberry Bells'

'Beni Tama'

'Big Shot'

'Confection'

'Cookie Cutter Moon'

'Dark Pink Spider'

'Fantasy Island'

'Grandjax'

'Jacala Red'

'JoAnn Trial'

'Krakatau'

'Libra'

'Moulin Rouge'

'Norma Pearl'

'Paul Niemi'

'Prairie Sunset'

'Summer's Chill'

'Sunset Strain'

'Twinkle'

'Valles Yellow'

'Yellow Rain'

Zephyranthes minuta (Pink Rain Lily, Rosepink Zephyr Lily, Rain Lily)
This species is widely grown as a garden ornamental plant, and produce shiny green leaves. Flowers are pink. Varieties sold for garden cultivation typically have larger flowers and foliage than the wild true species.

Zephyranthes robusta (Habranthus robustus) (Brazilian Copperlily, Pink Fairy Lily, Pink Rain Lily)
These plants are native to Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, and has naturalized in Florida, Colombia, South Africa, and Mauritius. This species is somewhat larger than the rest in the genus, making it a popular garden ornamental. Flowers are lavender to pale pink, and appear after rains between late summer and early fall. Flowers bloom before leaves, which are deep green and up to 16 inches long.

Zephyranthes rosea (Cuban Zephyrlily, Rosy Rain Lily, Rose Fairy Lily, Rose Zephyr Lily, Pink Rain Lily)
These plants are native to Peru and Colombia, and are widely cultivated as ornamentals around the world. They bloom after heavy rains, producing bright pink flowers with white centers. Individual plants reach up to 8 inches tall when in bloom.

Zephyranthes tubispatha (Habranthus tubispathus) (Rio Grande Copperlily, Barbados Snowdrop)
This species is native to southern South America, and have naturalized in many areas in the southeastern United States. These flowers are commonly grown as garden ornamentals, and bloom sporadically during late summer and early fall. Flowers are typically yellow with coppery-reddish tones on their exterior.

Caring for Zephyranthes

Zephyranthes are typically purchased as bulbs or as starts from a reputable nursery. Plant bulbs 1-2 inches deep and 3 inches apart at any time of the year, though fall is typically best. They appreciate a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they like between 6 and 8 hours of sun, though in warmer climates some afternoon shade is tolerated. Ensure that soil is well-draining, moderately rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). 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. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Rain Lilies can tolerate periods of drought, but will not bloom well under dry conditions. Flowers typically bloom after summertime rains, and a deep watering can also trigger blooms at this time of year. After blooms fade, withhold watering for a bit and then resume again; this should trigger another bloom cycle.

These flowers do not need to be fertilized to perform well in the garden. If soil is particularly poor, a 2 inch layer of compost can be applied around the base of plants in spring. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Deadhead spent flowering stems down to their base; this will encourage a second bloom to be triggered after irrigation. Rain Lily foliage is typically grassy, and can be mowed if desired in meadow gardens without harming plants. Clumps can be left undisturbed for years; only divide when performance or bloom declines. For instructions on how to successfully divide Rain Lilies, see the Propagation section below.

Propagation

Zephyranthes, or Rain Lily, can be propagated by division or seed. 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 it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Rain Lily, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Zephyranthes 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. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
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.
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 2-6 weeks 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 Zephyranthes by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. 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 root(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 root 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 divisions and water 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 in the next growing season.