bulb corm tuber

Crinum Lily

Crinum x goweni

The Story

Plant Bio

Crinum x goweni is a large bulbous perennial, a hybrid of Crinum bulbispermum and C. zeylanicum, making an arching clump of strap-shaped leaves about three feet across. Stout stems carry eleven to thirteen trumpet flowers in July and August, white with pink central stripes that fade as they age, with strongly recurved tips and a sweet scent.

Crinum bulbs are long-lived and resent disturbance, so this is a plant to site once and leave for decades; clumps improve as they age. All parts contain lycorine and related alkaloids and are toxic if eaten, so keep the bulbs away from children and pets. It is hardy to about 25F and holds through zone 7 winters.

Uses & Benefits:

Stems of eleven to thirteen fragrant white trumpets striped pink, over bold strap foliage.

A long-lived clump that needs almost nothing once sited, and tolerates damp ground.

Night-scented trumpets attract moths and other evening pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Bulb Corm Tuber

Height

42 inches

Width

36 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Garden hybrid

Toxicity

Toxic if ingested; bulbs contain lycorine

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in sun to partial sun in spring.
Set the bulb with its neck at or just above soil level.
Give each bulb three feet of space to fill.
Keep the soil moist; it tolerates damp ground well.
Feed with a high-phosphorus feed in mid-May after the first flowering season.
Mulch the crown where winters drop near 25F.

Pro Tip

Plant it where it can stay for years; Crinum bulbs sulk after being moved and often skip a season or two of flowering.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Site it once and leave the clump alone 🌿
Keep the soil reliably moist 💧
Feed with high phosphorus in mid-May 🌾
Mulch the crown before a hard winter 🍂

Don't

Lift and divide an established clump casually ❌
Plant the bulb too deep ❌
Let children or pets reach the bulbs ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Feed
Plant

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Bold specimen clump in a borderSouthern heritage and cottage plantingDamp ground and pond-side planting

Companion Plants

Louisiana Iris CannaHardy Hibiscus Elephant Ear Daylily

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Crinum Lily questions

What zones can Crinum Lily grow in?

Crinum Lily is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Crinum Lily deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Crinum Lily, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Crinum Lily bloom?

Crinum Lily typically blooms in july to august through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Crinum Lily need full sun?

Crinum Lily does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.