Lycoris
( lye - KOR - iss )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of perennial flowering plants, commonly called Spider Lily, Cluster Amaryllis, or Hurricane Lily, grows from bulbs and needs full sun and regular waterings during growing and blooming periods. They are native to China and Japan, and produce strappy leaves in fall or spring, followed by flower stalks supporting a cluster of spidery-looking blooms. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
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Lycoris Species and Varietals
Lycoris is a genus in the plant family Amaryllidaceae and includes 22 species and one hybrid. The best growing zones for Spider Lily vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Lycoris aurea (Nerine aurea) (Golden Spider Lily, Golden Hurricane Lily, Naked Lily, Surprise Lily) This species grows best in zones 16, 17, 19-24 and H1. It produces yellow flowers on stems that reach 2 feet tall. The flowers have stamens that are just slightly protruding. Individual plants reach up to 4-6 inches wide. Blooms make excellent cut flowers. |
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Lycoris radiata (Ungernia trisphaera) (Red Spider Lily, Red Magic Lily, Corpse Flower, Equinox Flower) Best when grown in zones 4-9, 12-24 and H1, this is a very commonly-grown species with stems 1.5 feet tall topped with coral red flowers that have a golden sparkle to them. Stamens are very prominent in this species. Variety 'Alba' has white blossoms. |
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Lycoris sanguinea (Orange Spider Lily) This species has bright red to orange red blossoms and its stamens do not protrude. Grows best in zones 4-24, with stems up to 2 feet tall. Blooms are present from July through August in the plant's native range (Japan). |
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Lycoris sprengeri (Electric Blue Spider Lily, Small Pink Spider Lily, Tie Dye Surprise Lily) This species grows best in zones 4-24 and has fragrant, purple-pink flowers that top 2 foot tall stems. The species is native to China, and blooms from late summer through early fall. Cultivars include 'Blue Bell' and 'Sweetheart' (which reaches 18 inches when in bloom). |
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Lycoris squamigera (Amaryllis hallii) (Resurrection Lily, Surprise Lily, Naked Lily, Magic Lily) This species grows best in zones 2-24 and has fragrant, lilac-pink blossoms atop 2 foot tall stems. Stamens in this species' flowers do not protrude. This species is native to China, Japan and Korea and has naturalized in Ohio and Tennessee. |
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Caring for Lycoris
Grow Lycoris flowers in full sun to partial shade. They can be purchased from nurseries as specimens or grown from seed or bulb directly in the garden. Ideally, they should be placed in a spot in the garden that receives between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day. In the warmest climates, they appreciate some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. Soil must be well-draining for these lilies to thrive; they cannot stand waterlogged soils. Ensure that soil is sandy, rich, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). 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 and sand before installing flowers. These flowers do not need to be mulched, as they enjoy soil that stays somewhat dry.
Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. Once established, they are drought-tolerant, and do not need to have any formal irrigation. Withhold water during dormancy (between foliage death and blooming in springtime) so that bulbs do not rot underground. Once blooms fade in fall, remove the dead flowers back to their base. Blooms last for about two weeks before fading. Deadheading will not encourage more blooms to pop; they only bloom once per season. Do not prune foliage off until it has completely died back, as it is still photosynthesizing and sending needed carbohydrates to its underground storage root. These are long-lived perennial landscape ornamentals, able to last for decades before fading. They form colonies over time. Lifting and dividing can be done as clumps become overgrown. For information on how to lift and divide Spider Lilies, see the propagation section below.
Harvesting Lycoris
Take care when handling and displaying these flowers, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Lycoris blooms make great cut flowers for fresh arrangements, and are typically harvested in late summer and early fall. Stems range in height, but are generally around 2 feet tall. Cut flowers in the early morning the day after they have gotten a good watering. Place them in cool water immediately. They have a vase life of between 7 and 10 days.
Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. Once established, they are drought-tolerant, and do not need to have any formal irrigation. Withhold water during dormancy (between foliage death and blooming in springtime) so that bulbs do not rot underground. Once blooms fade in fall, remove the dead flowers back to their base. Blooms last for about two weeks before fading. Deadheading will not encourage more blooms to pop; they only bloom once per season. Do not prune foliage off until it has completely died back, as it is still photosynthesizing and sending needed carbohydrates to its underground storage root. These are long-lived perennial landscape ornamentals, able to last for decades before fading. They form colonies over time. Lifting and dividing can be done as clumps become overgrown. For information on how to lift and divide Spider Lilies, see the propagation section below.
Harvesting Lycoris
Take care when handling and displaying these flowers, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Lycoris blooms make great cut flowers for fresh arrangements, and are typically harvested in late summer and early fall. Stems range in height, but are generally around 2 feet tall. Cut flowers in the early morning the day after they have gotten a good watering. Place them in cool water immediately. They have a vase life of between 7 and 10 days.
Propagation
Lycoris can be propagated either by division or from 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. To propagate your Spider Lily, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Lycoris by Seed
Propagating Lycoris 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 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, especially if they are being cultivated in containers. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Lycoris 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.
- 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 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 Lycoris 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 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, especially if they are being cultivated in containers. 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 gloved 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.
Seed pods on Lycoris plants emerge green, maturing to brown and drying out when ready to release their contents.
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Lycoris seeds are hard, black, and round.
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Problems and Pests
Although typically considered resilient, Lycoris plants can have issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Aphids
- Narcissus Bulb Fly
- Grasshoppers
- Snails and Slugs
- Mealybugs
- Root Rot
Gallery
Lycoris like partially shaded, woody landscapes.
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These flowers make eye-catching additions to mixed beds and borders.
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Spider Lilies are typically planted in groups of three or five.
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Butterflies are pollinators of these interesting blooms.
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These flowers can be cultivated in containers as well as in the ground.
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These interesting blooms make great additions to cut flower arrangements.
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Videos
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Learn about Lycoris.
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How to identify a Spider Lily plant.
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See these flowers in their natural habitat.
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How to divide Spider Lilies.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 424, Lycoris
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