Plant Profile: Magical Rain Lilies
These sweet star-shaped flowers are great for planting en masse
One of the cutest little flowering plants to pop up in Australian and New Zealand gardens these days is the rain lily, so named for its delightful habit of bursting into bloom en masse after rainfall. It’s also known as the white fairy lily, but whatever moniker you care to use, there’s no doubt that these sweet star-shaped white or pinky-white flowers add a certain magic to any garden. Throw the rain lily’s easy-care nature into the equation and you’ve got a winner for mass planting in borders and meadows as well as edges, pots and window boxes.
Where to grow
These bright little flowers grow best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter, in full sun or part shade. Avoid wet soil as the bulbs can rot in too much moisture.
How to plant
Rain lilies are generally sold in pots as young plants. Carefully ease the soil clump out of the pot and place into a hole around 10-15 centimetres deep. Space plants 20-30 centimetres apart; they look best in large groups, and the closer you plant them, the sooner you will achieve the mass-planted look. Water regularly after planting, particularly if the weather is hot.
These bright little flowers grow best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter, in full sun or part shade. Avoid wet soil as the bulbs can rot in too much moisture.
How to plant
Rain lilies are generally sold in pots as young plants. Carefully ease the soil clump out of the pot and place into a hole around 10-15 centimetres deep. Space plants 20-30 centimetres apart; they look best in large groups, and the closer you plant them, the sooner you will achieve the mass-planted look. Water regularly after planting, particularly if the weather is hot.
When to water
Water your plants regularly during their growing period, and especially during dry spells. Regular watering will extend the flowering period, but ensure that the soil is allowed to dry out when the plant is dormant to prevent rot.
How to fertilise
A general fertiliser once a year in spring, as the green tips are pushing out from the soil, can help to increase flowering.
How to propagate
By seed or dividing clumps.
Interesting fact
The flowers of rain lily plants close up at night and open again in the morning.
Water your plants regularly during their growing period, and especially during dry spells. Regular watering will extend the flowering period, but ensure that the soil is allowed to dry out when the plant is dormant to prevent rot.
How to fertilise
A general fertiliser once a year in spring, as the green tips are pushing out from the soil, can help to increase flowering.
How to propagate
By seed or dividing clumps.
Interesting fact
The flowers of rain lily plants close up at night and open again in the morning.
Landscape ideas
Plant in front of a low hedge to disguise the trunks of hedging plants, in rock gardens or in a narrow side garden. Use rain lilies as an alternative to mondo grass as a ground cover around pavers, or around the base of larger plants.
Rain lilies make excellent container plants. However, in colder areas pots may need to be moved out of sight as they can be semi-dormant (leaves die down) in winter.
Tell us
Do you have rain lilies in your garden? Tell us how they perform for you, and share photos of your plantings in the Comments.
More
Read more gardening tips
Plant in front of a low hedge to disguise the trunks of hedging plants, in rock gardens or in a narrow side garden. Use rain lilies as an alternative to mondo grass as a ground cover around pavers, or around the base of larger plants.
Rain lilies make excellent container plants. However, in colder areas pots may need to be moved out of sight as they can be semi-dormant (leaves die down) in winter.
Tell us
Do you have rain lilies in your garden? Tell us how they perform for you, and share photos of your plantings in the Comments.
More
Read more gardening tips
Common name: Rain lily, magic lily, fairy lily, Peruvian lily
Botanical name: Zephyranthes candida
Origin: South America
Plant type: Bulbous plant
Size: Up to 30 centimetres high and wide
Signature traits: Starry white, crocus-like flowers with dark green, narrow, clumping foliage
When to plant: Any time of year, but not in very wet winter weather
Flowering period: Late summer through to autumn
Suitable for pots: Yes