Autumn zephyrlily
Zephyranthes candida · Amaryllidaceae
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⚠️ Bulbes contiennent saponines glycosides; ingestion provoque troubles digestifs, vomissements, dépression chez chiens, chats et enfants.
The gardener's calendar
Autumn zephyrlily is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Plant type
- Bulbous
- Adult height
- 40 cm
- Flowering
- August to October
- Flowers
- White, delicate, star-shaped
- Foliage
- Deciduous, fine and graceful
- Hardiness
- Down to -5 to -10 °C depending on variety
- Origin
- South America (Argentina, Paraguay)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Zephyranthes candida emerges from hardy bulbs. Plant bulbs in June at 5 cm depth in dry, well-drained soil in full sun.
The common mistake
Watering after flowering or planting in permanently moist soil: bulbs will rot.
The pro's trick
Spread limestone gravel at the base; this creates favorable dryness and produces purer, longer-lasting flowers.
Seasonal watch
Watch for red spider mites in dry September; gentle misting reduces populations.
Care
Light exposure
The white rainflower lily prefers full sun for abundant flowering. It tolerates light shade, but its blooms will be less profuse. Plant it in an open location, protected from strong winds if possible.
Watering
Water moderately during growth and flowering, letting the soil dry slightly between waterings. Drastically reduce water during winter, when the foliage dries naturally. Excess moisture during winter dormancy risks bulb rot.
Soil
Grow the rainflower lily in well-draining, rich but light substrate, ideally mixed with sand or gravel. Heavy or compacted soil promotes rot. In pots, use bulb compost mixed with perlite.
Fertilizing
Apply dilute fertilizer once or twice during the growing period (June-September). Stop all fertilizing in autumn and winter. Excess nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply let spent flowers drop naturally and remove dry stems once the foliage is completely withered. You can divide bulbs every 4-5 years to rejuvenate the clump.
Diseases and pests
Bulb rot is the main risk with excess moisture. Inspect bulbs regularly during storage and remove any showing soft spots. Pests are rare; if spider mites appear, treat with an appropriate insecticide.
Did you know?
The name 'rainflower lily' comes from its remarkable synchronization with the first autumn rains in its native habitat. This fascinating adaptation allows it to flower when soil moisture increases, hence its evocative common names in several languages. Zephyranthes literally means 'flower of the zephyr,' the gentle west wind of Greek mythology.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- RamsonsAllium ursinum
- ChivesAllium schoenoprasum
- Sand leekAllium scorodoprasum
- Elephant garlicAllium ampeloprasum
- OnionAllium cepa
- Belladonna lilyAmaryllis belladonna
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.