Spider Lily
Hymenocallis littoralis
Spider lily grows from a bulb and bears clusters of fragrant white flowers with long, thin petals around a delicate cup. It thrives in warm, moist gardens and makes a bold border or pot plant.
Photo: Billjones94 · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Keep the soil moist during growth and flowering.
Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained soil; pH 6.0–7.0.
Temperature and humidity
10–40 °C · High humidity
Feeding
Feed monthly in the growing season.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by offsets, division
Remove spent flower stalks and yellow leaves.
The bulbs are toxic if eaten by people or pets.
Top Cultivation Tips
Flowers are most fragrant in the evening.
Divide clumps every few years.
Tolerates wet soil and coastal conditions.
Watch for the lily caterpillar, which bores into leaves.
Common problems
Caterpillars
The larvae of moths and butterflies, which chew holes in leaves, flowers and fruit and can strip a plant in days.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →PestSnails and slugs
Night-feeding molluscs that chew ragged holes in leaves, seedlings and soft stems, especially in wet weather.
How to treat it →
