Also known as Spider Lily · 33 gardener saves
Hymenocallis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Hymenocallis, the genus most gardeners know as spider lily. We track 11 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 11 most-saved Hymenocallis varieties
Of 11 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSpring Spiderlily
Hymenocallis liriosme
#2 most savedEulalie's Spider Lily
Hymenocallis eulae
#3 most savedCaribbean Spider Lily Tropical Giant
Hymenocallis caribaea 'Tropical Giant'
Caribbean Spider Lily
Hymenocallis caribaea 'Superstar'
Fragrant Spider Lily
Hymenocallis eucharidifolia
Traub's Spider Lily
Hymenocallis traubii
Mexican Spider Lily
Hymenocallis harrisiana
Spider Lily
Hymenocallis liriosme 'Rayville'
Spider Lily
Hymenocallis coronaria
Dwarf Spider Lily
Hymenocallis pygmaea 'Carolina Creeper'
River Spider Lily
Hymenocallis riparia
How to grow Hymenocallis
What the Hymenocallis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 11 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Hymenocallis year
- PlantMarch–May91% of varieties
Plant bulbs after the danger of frost has passed
- FertilizeApril–July91% of varieties
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Lift & StoreSeptember and October64% of varieties
Dig up bulbs after first frost, dry, and store in a cool, dry place
- DeadheadJune–August36% of varieties
Remove spent flower stalks to tidy the plant
Do
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water consistently during growing season 🌱
- Water consistently during active growth 🌱
- Mulch to retain moisture
Avoid
- Overwater to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Overwater to avoid bulb rot ❌
- Avoid letting soil dry out completely ❌
- Plant in poorly drained soil ❌
What goes wrong with Hymenocallis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted 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 |
| Bulb mites | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Fungal leaf spots | Dark, necrotic spots on leaves | Remove affected foliage and improve air circulation |
Making more Hymenocallis
Division
- Dig up clumps in early spring
- Separate offsets with a sharp knife
- Plant immediately in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly
- Wait 6 weeks for roots to establish
Bulb planting
- Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep in fall
- Space bulbs 8-12 inches apart
- Water after planting
- Allow bulbs to settle before watering heavily
Hymenocallis questions
How many types of Hymenocallis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 11 distinct Hymenocallis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 33 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Hymenocallis grow in?
Across its varieties, Hymenocallis covers USDA Zones 6–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Hymenocallis bloom?
Most Hymenocallis varieties bloom in mid-spring, early summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Hymenocallis 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
Hymenocallis shows up in
By hardiness zone
Related genera
Design with Hymenocallis 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.
