Also known as Surprise Lily · 207 gardener saves
Lycoris: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Lycoris, the genus most gardeners know as surprise lily. We track 27 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 Lycoris varieties
Of 27 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedLycoris x rosea Glenn Dale Gem
Lycoris x rosea 'Glenn Dale Gem'
#2 most savedSurprise Lily Lycoris
Lycoris x rosea 'Cherry Crush'
#3 most savedPink Lycoris
Lycoris x rosea
surprise lily naked lady
Lycoris squamigera
Surprise Lily
Lycoris x squamigera
Pink Panther Surprise Lily
Lycoris x rosea 'Pink Panther'
Lycoris longituba Pink Spider Lily
Lycoris longituba
Lycoris x traubiata Buttermint
Lycoris x traubiata 'Buttermint'
Hybrid Spider Lily
Lycoris x rosea 'Glenn Dale Carmina'
Red Spider Lily
Lycoris radiata
Golden Spider Lily
Lycoris aurea 'Guizhou'
Caldwell's Original Hurricane Lily
Lycoris straminea 'Caldwells Original'
Browse all 27 Lycoris varieties →
How to grow Lycoris
What the Lycoris varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 27 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Lycoris year
- PlantJuly–September100% of varieties
Plant dormant bulbs 4-6 inches deep in late summer/early fall
- DivideJune–August100% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 5-7 years during summer dormancy
- FertilizeFebruary, March and October100% of varieties
Apply bulb fertilizer when foliage is actively growing in late winter/early spring
- DeadheadAugust–October37% of varieties
Remove spent flower scapes at the base after blooming
Do
- Water regularly during active growth 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water during dry periods 🌱
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Do not disturb bulbs during dormancy
What goes wrong with Lycoris
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Narcissus Bulb Fly | Wilting and rotting bulbs | Apply organic neem oil or use insecticidal soap |
| Narcissus bulb fly | Larvae damage bulbs, causing rot | Use organic insecticidal soap or remove affected bulbs |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Bulb mites | Deterioration of bulbs and poor growth | Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Bulb Rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Ensure proper drainage and avoid overwatering |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Fungal rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Ensure excellent drainage and avoid overwatering |
Making more Lycoris
Division
- Dig up bulbs in late summer.
- Separate offsets carefully.
- Replant immediately at same depth.
- Water well after planting.
bulb division
- Dig up bulbs after foliage dies back
- Separate offsets carefully
- Replant in well-drained soil within 6 weeks
Lycoris questions
How many types of Lycoris are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 27 distinct Lycoris varieties. The most popular — ranked by 207 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Lycoris grow in?
Across its varieties, Lycoris 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 Lycoris bloom?
Most Lycoris varieties bloom in late summer, late summer to early fall, early fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lycoris 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 Lycoris 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.
