Also known as Rain Lily · 38 gardener saves
Habranthus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Habranthus, the genus most gardeners know as rain lily. We track 6 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 6 most-saved Habranthus varieties
Of 6 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedFlory's Habranthus
Habranthus x floryi 'Green Base'
#2 most savedPink Rain Lily
Habranthus tubispathus 'roseus'
#3 most savedMartinez's Rain Lily
Habranthus martinezii
Pink Flamingo Rain Lily
Habranthus thunbergii 'Pink Flamingos'
Pink Rain Lily
Habranthus robustus
rain lily
Habranthus brachyandrus
How to grow Habranthus
What the Habranthus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 6 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Habranthus year
- PlantMarch and April100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 2-3 inches deep in spring after danger of hard frost
- FertilizeMarch100% of varieties
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as foliage emerges
- DivideSeptember50% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 3-4 years after flowering
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October50% of varieties
Lift bulbs after foliage dies back; store in a dry, cool, frost-free place.
- DeadheadJuly–September33% of varieties
Remove spent trumpet blooms to maintain a neat appearance
Do
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water regularly during the growing season 🌱
- Plant in full sun for vibrant blooms
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Water regularly during active growing season 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater to prevent rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid bulb rot ❌
- Plant in heavy clay soil without amendment ❌
- Plant too deep or too shallow
What goes wrong with Habranthus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Bulb Fly | Larvae damage bulbs, causing rot. | Use organic neem oil or apply beneficial nematodes. |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed corms | Ensure well-drained soil and avoid overwatering |
| Narcissus Bulb Fly | Larvae burrow into bulbs causing rot | Use organic insecticidal soap or apply beneficial nematodes |
| Fungal rot | Dark spots on corms | Apply fungicide and improve soil drainage |
| Bulb Rot | Soft, decayed bulbs with foul odor. | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Habranthus
bulb division
- Dig up mature bulbs in early spring.
- Separate offsets carefully with clean tools.
- Replant divisions at same depth as original bulbs.
- Water well after planting.
- Allow 6 weeks for new growth.
Bulb division
- Carefully dig up bulbs after dormancy
- Separate offsets
- Plant immediately in well-drained soil
Habranthus questions
How many types of Habranthus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 6 distinct Habranthus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 38 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Habranthus grow in?
Across its varieties, Habranthus 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 Habranthus bloom?
Most Habranthus varieties bloom in late summer, summer to fall, late spring to summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Habranthus 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
Habranthus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Habranthus 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.
