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Lycoris spp.

spider lily

Amaryllidaceae Eastern Asia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–10

Overview

Lycoris is a genus of about 13 to 20 species of bulbous perennials in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae), native to eastern Asia from China and Korea to Japan and the Himalayas. Each bulb sends up a leafless flower scape 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall topped by an umbel of four to seven trumpet- or spider-shaped flowers. Across the genus, flowers range from scarlet and orange-red through pink, white, and golden yellow; L. radiata carries red flowers with long, curling stamens and narrow, recurved petals, while L. squamigera bears soft pink, lily-like blooms. The strap-shaped basal leaves and the flowers usually appear at separate times of year, so the flower stems rise from bare ground in late summer to autumn, giving rise to common names such as surprise lily and naked ladies. Strap-like foliage follows in autumn or the next spring and dies back by summer. All parts contain lycorine and related alkaloids and are poisonous if eaten. Bulbs grow in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil and are slow to re-establish after disturbance, often skipping bloom for a year after being moved. Established clumps flower more reliably each season.

Native Range

Native to eastern Asia, centered in China, Korea, Japan, and the eastern Himalayas, where species grow in woodland margins, grassy slopes, and along streams. L. radiata has naturalized in the southeastern United States from long cultivation.

Suggested Uses

Grown in borders, woodland gardens, and naturalized drifts, where the bare flower stems rise among low groundcovers that mask the absent foliage. The bulbs are also grown in containers and as cut flowers. L. radiata is used for autumn color in mild-climate gardens.

How to Identify

Recognized by leafless flower scapes that emerge from bare ground in late summer and autumn, each bearing an umbel of four to seven flowers. Spider-flowered species such as L. radiata have narrow, strongly recurved petals and long, protruding stamens, while L. squamigera has broader, funnel-shaped pink flowers. The strap-shaped leaves, 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) wide, appear separately from the flowers and arise directly from the bulb.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering occurs from mid-summer into autumn, generally August to October, with each scape lasting one to two weeks. L. squamigera blooms earliest, in mid- to late summer, while L. radiata flowers in early autumn, often within days of late-season rain. Bloom appears before or without the foliage, on bare stems.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

scarlet, red, pink, white, or golden yellow

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Bulbs flower one to two years after planting; clumps mature in three to four years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Bulbs grow in full sun to dappled shade and flower most freely with summer sun and steady moisture during active growth. Soil should be fertile and well-drained, with a pH near 6.0-7.0; bulbs rot in waterlogged ground. Bulbs are set with the neck at or just below the soil surface, as deep planting can suppress flowering. Clumps are slow to settle and may skip bloom the first year after planting or division. Drought during the summer dormancy is tolerated. All parts are poisonous if eaten, containing lycorine and related alkaloids.

Pruning

No routine pruning is needed. Spent flower scapes can be removed after bloom, and the foliage is left to die back naturally so the bulb can store energy for the next season. Removing leaves while still green reduces the following year flowering.