1 named cultivar

‘Guizhou’Guizhou Golden Spider Lily

bulb corm tuber

Golden Spider Lily

The Story

Plant Bio

Lycoris aurea, golden spider lily, is a bulbous perennial from central and southern China and Japan, about two feet high in flower. Bare round green stems rise abruptly in autumn carrying clusters of funnel-shaped golden-yellow flowers with long curling stamens, and the strap-like fleshy leaves appear only afterwards.

The flowers appear on naked stems with no leaves at all, which is why the genus is called surprise lily — the foliage comes later and dies away before the flowers return the following autumn. Mark the position, because the bulbs are invisible for much of the year and easily destroyed by a spade. They resent disturbance and flower poorly for a year or two after moving.

Uses & Benefits:

Golden spidery flowers on bare stems in autumn, appearing where nothing was visible days before.

Drought tolerant and left alone by deer and rabbits, needing no attention once settled.

Butterflies and hummingbirds visit the flowers late in the season.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Bulb Corm Tuber

Height

24 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Central and southern China and Japan

Toxicity

Bulbs are toxic to people and pets

Planting

How to Grow

Plant bulbs in summer with the neck at soil level.
Choose full sun to partial shade and drained soil.
Mark the position; the bulbs vanish for months.
Leave the winter foliage to die back naturally.
Do not move established clumps unnecessarily.
Keep bulbs away from children and pets.

Pro Tip

Flowers come up on bare stems with no leaves, so mark the clump — a summer spade through a dormant Lycoris is how most are lost.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Mark the planting position 📍
Let the foliage die back naturally 🍃
Leave established clumps undisturbed 🌱
Keep bulbs away from pets 🐈

Don't

Dig where the bulbs are dormant ❌
Move it unless you must ❌
Cut the leaves off green ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Autumn surprise in a border or lawn edgeContainers and small spacesNaturalised planting under deciduous trees

Companion Plants

LiriopeAutumn Fern Hardy Begonia HostaToad Lily

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Golden Spider Lily questions

What zones can Golden Spider Lily grow in?

Golden Spider 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 Golden Spider Lily deer resistant?

Yes — Golden Spider Lily is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Golden Spider Lily bloom?

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

Does Golden Spider Lily need full sun?

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

Is Golden Spider Lily drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Golden Spider Lily handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.