Also known as Rain Lily · 404 gardener saves
Zephyranthes: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Zephyranthes, the genus most gardeners know as rain lily. We track 36 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 Zephyranthes varieties
Of 36 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGrandjax Rain Lily
Zephyranthes grandiflora 'Grandjax'
#2 most savedZephyranthes Sunset
Zephyranthes x hybrida 'Sunset'
#3 most savedLydia Luckman Zephyranthes
Zephyranthes x hybrida 'Lydia Luckman'
Rain Lily South Pacific
Zephyranthes x hybrida 'South Pacific'
Yellow Rain Lily
Zephyranthes primulina
Rain Lily
Zephyranthes atamasca
Autumn Zephyrlily
Zephyranthes candida
Rain Lily Brunswick County
Zephyranthes simpsonii 'Brunswick County'
Bangkok Yellow Zephyranthes
Zephyranthes x hybrida 'Bangkok Yellow'
Zodiac Surprise Rain Lily
Zephyranthes x greater 'Zodiac Surprise'
Fedora Rain Lily
Zephyranthes drummondii 'Fedora'
Java Rain Lily
Zephyranthes x hybrida 'Java'
Browse all 36 Zephyranthes varieties →
How to grow Zephyranthes
What the Zephyranthes varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 36 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Zephyranthes year
- PlantMarch and April100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 1 inch deep after danger of frost has passed
- DivideSeptember and October92% of varieties
Divide overcrowded clumps every 3-4 years
- FertilizeApril and June86% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer as foliage emerges
- Winter PrepOctober and November39% of varieties
Apply light layer of mulch for winter protection in colder parts of Zone 7
- DeadheadJuly–September31% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to maintain appearance
Do
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water during dry spells 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Water during dry periods 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Overwater in winter ❌
- Overwater to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Plant in poorly drained soil ❌
What goes wrong with Zephyranthes
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Bulb fly | Weak, rotting bulbs | Use organic insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and stippling on leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Narcissus Bulb Fly | Bulbs rot and fail to sprout | Use organic nematodes or apply insecticidal soap |
| Bulb rot | Soft, rotting bulbs in wet soil | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Soft, decayed bulbs, wilting leaves | Improve drainage, remove infected bulbs, apply fungicide |
| Bulb Rot | Soft, rotted bulbs with foul smell | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
Making more Zephyranthes
Bulb division
- Dig up clumps in early spring.
- Gently separate bulbs with a sharp knife.
- Replant immediately at same depth.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Allow 6 weeks for roots to establish.
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after flowering
- Sow in shallow trays with well-draining soil
- Mist regularly to keep moist
- Place in warm, bright location
- Germination occurs in 4-6 weeks
Zephyranthes questions
How many types of Zephyranthes are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 36 distinct Zephyranthes varieties. The most popular — ranked by 404 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Zephyranthes grow in?
Across its varieties, Zephyranthes 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 Zephyranthes bloom?
Most Zephyranthes varieties bloom in late spring, late summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Zephyranthes 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
Zephyranthes shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Zephyranthes 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.
