Beach spider lily.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Bulbous perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

2 to 3 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to ensure the bulb stays healthy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is too dry or the plant needs more humidity. Provide plenty of warmth and bright light to encourage those beautiful blooms.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back spent flower stalks and any yellowing foliage to keep the plant tidy.

Repotting

Repot only when the bulb becomes crowded in its container, usually every few years.

Soil

Rich, well draining organic soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

10 to 35°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Safety

People

Ingestion of the bulb or foliage can cause significant gastrointestinal distress.

Pets

This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep this plant away from children as the bulbs are poisonous if eaten.

Contact allergens

Handling the bulbs may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The heavy fragrance can be overwhelming for those with scent sensitivities.

Edibility

All parts of this plant are considered toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

• Fragrant white spidery flowers
• Long strap like green leaves
• Central cup shaped corona
• Large bulbous root system

Height

0.45 to 0.75m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

white, 10 to 15cm

Problems to watch for

• Narcissus bulb fly · Larvae can tunnel into the bulb and cause plant decline.
• Stagonospora leaf scorch · Fungal infection causing red spots on foliage.

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed

When to plant

spring

Plant these in moist, organic rich soil to mimic their natural waterside habitat.

Grows well with

• Canna Lily · They share similar moisture requirements and provide a bold tropical look.
• Blue Flag Iris · This iris thrives in the same damp soil conditions as the spider lily.

Similar species

• Hymenocallis caribaea · A closely related species with similar spider like flowers.

Science

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Genus

Hymenocallis

Order

Asparagales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Tropical Americas and the Caribbean.

Conservation

Not currently of conservation concern in its native range.

This plant naturally occurs in coastal areas and wetlands where it tolerates high moisture levels.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

moths, butterflies

Uses

ornamental garden plant, container specimen, fragrant border plant

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?

It thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it makes an excellent container plant if kept moist.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Hymenocallis comes from the Greek words for membrane and beauty, referring to the delicate cup connecting the stamens.

Good to know

• The common name spider lily comes from the long, thin petals that resemble spider legs.
• It is highly adaptable to wet soils and can even grow in shallow water.
• The flowers are technically umbels that bloom in clusters.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs