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Autumn Rain-lily

Zephyranthes candida (zeh-fir-AN-theez KAN-did-uh)

Family: Amaryllidaceae Unknown Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

Rain Lily is a flowering bulb that is native to South America. It is grown as a perennial in Zones 7 through 10 and may remain in the landscape as an evergreen. In cooler climates it must be dug up before the first frost and stored in an indoor location through the winter months. It should be kept cool and dry while stored. If planting in containers, they should be moved indoors to a cool but frost free area and provided with just enough moisture to keep the soil from drying out totally. In its native habitat, the showy, white, crocus-like flowers will bloom after a rainstorm, hence the common name. Plant in specimen clumps, along walkways, in rock gardens or in the fronts of borders. It also works well in containers on a patio or as a houseplant. Offsets can be separated in the spring. To prevent from reseeding, cut the flowers back at the base after they have bloomed and faded. Seed can be collected from the center of the flower after the petals drop. Although they can be grown in part shade, full sun will provide the best performance. In locations that experience extreme heat, protection from afternoon sun will help avoid dieback of the foliage and hampered floral displays. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant problems: No serious issues, however watch for slugs and snails. Spider mites may also affect this plant.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 52 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Often confused with Crocus
Fills a similar niche Betonica officinalis Salvia rosmarinus x Heucherella

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual; Bulb; Perennial
Life cycle
Annual; Bulb; Perennial
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Long-lasting
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Narrow, bright green grass-like leaves.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Silvery white flowers 1"-2" across with orange stamens.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Stem detail
Grass-like upright stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
South America
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Buffer; Defines Paths; Easy to Grow
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Houseplants; Patio; Rock Wall; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Fairy Garden; Rain Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Mass Planting; Small groups; Specimen
Garden tags
#houseplant #rock garden #border front #specimen #white flowers #flowers late summer #flowers early fall #interiorscape #salt intolerant #hardy #herbaceous #bulb #herbaceous perennial #hardy bulb #perennial bulbs #semi-evergreen #pest resistant #evergreen #container plant #clumping #wet soils tolerant #drought tolerant #perennial #patio #walkway #fairy garden
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Diseases; Drought; Insect Pests; Poor Soil; Wet Soil
Propagation
Seed

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.