Also known as Crinum Lily · 186 gardener saves
Crinum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Crinum, the genus most gardeners know as crinum lily. We track 32 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Crinum varieties
Of 32 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCrinum Lily Ollene
Crinum x hybrida 'Ollene'
#2 most savedCrinum x augustum Spider Lily
Crinum x augustum
#3 most savedCrinum Lily Mystery
Crinum x hybrida 'Mystery'
Crinum x herbertii Carroll Abbott
Crinum x herbertii 'Carroll Abbott'
Stars and Stripes Crinum Lily
Crinum x digweedii 'Stars and Stripes'
Sangria Crinum Lily
Crinum x hybrida 'Sangria'
Orange River Lily
Crinum bulbispermum
Moore's crinum
Crinum moorei
St. Marks Swamp Lily
Crinum americanum 'St Marks'
Mrs James Hendry Crinum
Crinum x hybrida 'Mrs James Hendry'
Crinum Empress of India
Crinum x hybrida 'Empress of India'
Crinum x powellii Cecil Houdyshel
Crinum x powellii 'Cecil Houdyshel'
Browse all 32 Crinum varieties →
How to grow Crinum
What the Crinum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 32 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Crinum year
- PlantMarch and April100% of varieties
Plant bulbs in spring, ensuring the neck is slightly above soil level
- FertilizeApril–June94% of varieties
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer
- Winter PrepOctober and November75% of varieties
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the bulb neck for winter protection
- DivideAugust and September72% of varieties
Divide only when clumps become overcrowded (every 5-10 years)
- DeadheadJune–August59% of varieties
Remove spent flower stalks down to the base to tidy the plant
- Spring CleanupFebruary41% of varieties
Remove any old or damaged foliage from the previous season
Do
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water consistently during growing season 🌱
- Water regularly during the growing season 🌱
- Water consistently during growing season 💧
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Refrain from disturbing bulbs during dormancy
- Overwater to prevent bulb rot ❌
What goes wrong with Crinum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs with foul smell | Improve drainage and remove affected bulbs. |
| Spider mites | Webbing and stippling on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and stippling on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Fungal leaf spot | Dark spots on leaves | Apply fungicide and remove affected foliage. |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Crinum
Division
- Dig up mature bulbs in early spring.
- Separate offsets carefully with a sharp knife.
- Plant divisions 4 inches deep in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly and keep moist for 6 weeks.
Bulb planting
- Tuck bulbs into soil 4 inches deep in spring.
- Water regularly to promote rooting.
- Place in a sunny location.
- Wait 8-12 weeks for sprouting.
Crinum questions
How many types of Crinum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 32 distinct Crinum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 186 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Crinum grow in?
Across its varieties, Crinum covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Crinum bloom?
Most Crinum varieties bloom in late summer, mid-summer, late spring to summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Crinum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Crinum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
