Gardening Flowers Bulbs How to Plant and Grow Rain Lily This tender bulb starts to bloom in late summer after a period of rain. By Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani is a gardening and food writer with more than two decades of hands-on gardening experience in vegetable and fruit gardening, landscaping with native plants, and garden design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 17, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Planting Tips Care Pests and Problems Propagatoin Types Companion Plants FAQ Trending Videos Close this video player Rain lily (Zephryanthes) is a genus of about 70 species in the amaryllis family. The plants are native to southern North America, Central America, and South America. Rain lilies are cheerful summer-blooming bulbs that got their common name for their tendency to burst into bloom immediately following periods of ample rainfall in the late summer. The white rain lily (Zephryanthes candida) is one of the most popular varieties. Native to South America, it can be grown as a perennial above Zone 7. In cooler climates, it is grown as an annual and dug each fall to be overwintered indoors and replanted in spring. It is also suitable for container growing. The rain lily has grassy, strappy foliage and erect, funnel-shaped flowers up to 4 inches across. The flowers only open from midday to the afternoon. The plant is toxic to humans and pets. Rain Lily Overview Genus Name Zephyranthes candida Common Name Rain Lily Additional Common Names Autumn Zephyrlily, White Rain Lily, Fairy Lily Plant Type Bulb Light Sun Height 6 to 12 inches Width 4 to 8 inches Flower Color Orange, Pink, White Foliage Color Blue/Green Season Features Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 10, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Division Where to Plant Rain Lily Select a location with full sun and well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Plant rain lily along walkways, in rock gardens, or in a large drift in a perennial garden where you need some late-summer interest. Because of its small size, it is best placed near the front of the border or the edge of a path or garden where it can easily be enjoyed. Pair rain lily with other low-growing perennial groundcovers. It will pop up through these plants for vertical interest in early spring. Rain lily also grows well in containers. Potting with lantana and lysimachia makes for a striking color combo. How and When to Plant Rain Lily Plant the bulbs in the spring, 2 to 3 inches deep. Loosen the soil at least 1 inch deeper than the planting depth to encourage deep root development. The best visual effect is achieved when they are planted in groups or clumps, spaced 2 to 4 inches apart. Water well after planting and cover the soil with a 1-inch layer of fine mulch. Care Tips Rain lily is a low-maintenance plant, especially in a warmer climate where you can leave it in the ground year-round. Light Rain lily grows best in full sun. It does not flower well in shade. Soil and Water Native to dry regions, rain lily grows best in average to dry soil with a pH between 6.8 and 7.2. Only water plants during extreme dry periods. Temperature and Humidity Rain lily is hardy in Zones 7 through 10, where it will come back year after year. The plant is not frost-tolerant. It thrives in humid climates but may struggle in hot arid climates. Fertilizer Rain lily that is grown in garden soil typically does not require fertilization but it benefits from a springtime application of compost. Container-grown plants should be fertilized about once a month with an all-purpose soluble fertilizer, diluted to half strength, to make up for the nutrient washout caused by frequent watering. Pruning No pruning or trimming is needed. After the bloom, the plants go dormant, and it is important that the foliage dies back naturally. Potting and Repotting Because rain lilies look best in groups, choose a container of at least 12 inches in diameter so it can accommodate at least a dozen bulbs, planted closely together. Rain lilies do well when fitting snugly. Fill it with a mixture of well-draining potting soil and compost. Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering than plants in the garden soil. Pests and Problems Except for snails and slugs, this plant is free of serious pests and diseases. How to Propagate Rain lily is easy to propagate from the offsets that grow on mature bulbs. Gently remove the offsets and replant them in a new location or pot. Offset bulbs are often small and should be planted slightly shallower than regular-size bulbs. Types of Rain Lily Pink Rain Lily Zephyranthes carinata has narrow, ribbed light green leaves and attractive pink flowers. The plant grows 12 inches tall. It is native to Mexico, Colombia. and Central America. Zone 7-10 Yellow Rain Lily Zephyranthes citrina is a golden yellow-flowering rain lily species. It is well-adapted to heat and blooms between August and October when other flowers are struggling in the heat. In warm climates, the strappy, narrow foliage persists all year long. Zone 7-10 Zephyranthes drummondii 'Fedora' The flowers of this unusual cultivar stand out in several ways: They are large (3 inches), fragrant, almost pure white, and nocturnal. The flowers sit atop 8-inch stalks. Zone 7-9 Rain Lily Companion Plants Sedum Sedums come in myriad colors, shapes, and sizes. Low-growing sedum varieties such as Angelina (Zone 6-9) or gold moss stonecrop (Sedum acre, Zone 4-9) make good companions for the rain lily. All sedums are easy to grow and require very little maintenance. Creeping Thyme The ground-hugging creeping thyme is adaptable to a range of light conditions and soil types. For a change from the usual lavender-colored thyme, try white flowering creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum ‘Albus’). Most varieties of creeping thyme grow perennially in Zone 4-9. Frequently Asked Questions How do I overwinter rain lily bulbs indoors? After the first fall frost, dig the bulbs. Discard any that are bruised or diseased. Bury them in a cardboard box filled with slightly moist peat or vermiculite. Keep them at temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees F over the winter before replanting them in the spring. Why are my rain lilies not blooming? The culprit might be lack of sunlight or age—it often takes a season or two until the bulbs starts blooming. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. "Pink Rain Lily." University of Wisconsin-Madison.