Grow Real Flowers: Hymenocallis (spider lily) Growing Guide

For comic lovers, there’s Spider-Man. For flower lovers, there’s spider lily. Thankfully, this is one ‘spider’ you’ll be overjoyed to see in your garden – and once she’s settled in, you’ll be marvelling at her gloriousness for years to come.

Here’s our long-awaited Hymenocallis Growing Guide to set you up for success. Here, you’ll find everything you need – from the meaning behind the name to planting instructions and all those pesky (but important) details to help your spider lilies flourish.

Meet the Spider Lily

Belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae, the bulbous perennial Hymenocallis contains more than 60 species native to the warmer tropical and sub-tropical parts of the Americas, making them easy to cultivate as ornamentals in warm regions around the globe. They were taken across the seas to England, where they became a Victorian favourite, and were soon found all over the world, including here in South Africa, where the most commonly grown cultivar is the white-flowered, fragrant hybrid named ‘Advance’.

What’s in a Name?

With their unusual appearance, Hymenocallis (commonly known as the spider lily, or the Peruvian daffodil) were originally found in grassy plains, rocky outcrops, and wetlands, where they help trap sediment and filter water. They’re happiest when grown in average to moist soil.

Their name comes from the Greek words hymen (membrane) and kalos (beautiful), likely inspired by the curious shape of the flower: six narrow, curved petals attached to a shallow cup formed by a membrane created by its fused stamens. Fancy that for a garden club fact!

A Tough, Low-Maintenance Showstopper

This undemanding, upright plant reaches around 60–90 cm in height with a spread of up to 150 cm, depending on the variety. Hymenocallis grows from bulbs and produces a stunning display of white, spider-like blooms on long stalks in summer. She also makes a spectacular cut flower, whether displayed on her own or in arrangements. Simply snip the stems around 10 cm above the bulb, and you’ll have an elegant,and fragrant bloom to brighten your home.

Where to Plant Your Spider Lily

They make excellent focal points along pathways or as striking accent plants in a mixed border, but they’re equally at home in pots on patios, provided the soil remains suitably moist and they’re fed monthly from spring to autumn.

Plant them in groups in full sun or dappled shade under trees, as they generally prefer filtered light. The partial shade beneath trees will provide the protection they love. They resemble agapanthus when not in flower and can sometimes keep their dark green leaves during winter depending on the climate in which they are grown. As a bonus, they catch and hide falling leaves, making them a low-maintenance option under trees with heavy leaf drop.

How to Plant Spider Lilies

The bulbs should be planted with their ‘necks’ above soil level, 2cm apart. They look their best in groups! Use soil rich in organic matter, ensuring it is well-draining.

In optimal conditions, offsets form rapidly and these bulblets can be carefully removed from the mother bulb and planted in spring. It will take three years for them to flower.

Watering, Feeding, and General Care

Water these beauties every two to three days in pots and less frequently in the ground, provided it hasn’t rained. Once the flowers begin to bloom, you can increase watering, particularly if rain is scarce. They enjoy having ‘wet feet’, so try to keep the soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged). If you forget occasionally, they can handle short dry spells.

In very warm summer areas, plant them where they’ll be shaded from harsh afternoon sun. Feed every 4–6 weeks during the growing and flowering season to encourage healthy growth and blooms. Mulch them with compost to retain moisture, keep the soil temperature well-regulated, and suppress weeds. Mulch will also protect the bulbs against frost during winter.

Once flowering has finished, allow the leaves to grow on and continue feeding the plant so it can store energy for next season’s display. Only prune once the leaves turn yellow. Unless you live in a particularly cold winter area or have poorly draining soil during winter rains, there’s no need to lift the bulbs.

If you do decide to lift them once they have gone dormant, the bulbs can be dug up and stored dry in a cool, dark place until planting time in spring.

A Note on Pollinators, Pets and Pests

Spider lilies have a lovely, strong fragrance, especially after dusk, which attracts bees and butterflies, making them superb for encouraging beneficial pollinators to your garden.

The Hymenocallis bulb is poisonous, so if you have a dog that loves to dig, plant these bulbs out of paw’s reach.

As for pests, snails and caterpillars may nibble the leaves, while mealybugs may occasionally drop by. Hand-pick any visible pests, use slug traps or an environmentally friendly caterpillar remedy, and control other insects with neem oil. Regular garden monitoring is the simplest way to stop goggas from becoming a bigger problem than necessary.

Here you go – your Hymenocallis Growing Guide to inspire your springtime planting and equip you with the know-how to grow these exotic beauties with ease.