Lycoris radiata is a plant of many names and striking beauty. Known alternately as spider lily, red spider lily, equinox flower, magic lily, naked lady, hurricane lily, and (morbidly) corpse flower, this unique looking plant and its hallmark red flowers offers a welcome pop of color in late summer through autumn. Despite its exotic appearance, Lycoris radiata can be fairly easy to grow and once established may reappear year after year. This is a special plant that may well deserve a place in your garden, so let’s dig in and learn more about it!
The Origins (and Many Names) of Lycoris radiata
This is one of those plants that reminds us why we use scientific binomial names instead of common names for identification. Native to a wide swath of Asia—from Japan and Korea through China and into Nepal—Lycoris radiata has been introduced and naturalized to many other places around the world. A member of the Amaryllidaceae family, this amaryllis relative is a perennial most often grown from bulbs. The stems grow tall and thin, with relatively sparse thin foliage and uniquely shaped flowers. The red petals and long curved stamens radiate outward, giving Lycoris radiata a spider-like appearance that contributes some of its many names. Its growing patterns and timing also contribute to its nomenclature: it’s known as “equinox flower” because it does tend to appear around the fall equinox; “hurricane lily” for its propensity to appear during hurricane season after a strong rain; and “magic flower” due to its ability to appear almost overnight. We were unable to find the origins of the “corpse flower” or “naked lady” monikers, so if anyone out there knows please get in touch and tell us!
Growing Hurricane Lily in the Home Garden
Call it what you will, but we prefer the name “hurricane lily” as the Gardzen Test Gardens are based in the coastal southeast of the United States and have weathered their share of hurricanes. Hurricane lily is a favorite in this part of the world, and right now they’re in bloom all over our neighborhood. While the red varietal is most common, Lycoris radiata also appears in a striking ivory-white variety that adds additional color and texture when planted next to its red siblings.
This plant is so, so easy to grow. Reportedly hardy down to 0F/-18C, it can be planted at nearly any time of the year—though you should avoid hard freezes as it makes life tough on the new bulbs. We’re also not sure how container-grown Lycoris handles winter freezes, so maybe bring them inside just to be safe. Hurricane lily remains dormant through spring and summer when it blooms overnight, adding a surprise burst of color to a flower bed. While the long spindly stems are striking on their own, some gardeners prefer to plant them as part of a mixed bed to take advantage of their height. Be advised that your bulbs may not flower the first year, but may surprise you with their proliferation in the second growth season.
Hurricane lily prefers full sun to light shade and a moist yet well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A perennial, they will return year after year and may pop up in places away from where you planted them. They can be propagated by root division, making them an ideal gift plant for someone starting a garden or just moving into a new home. While they shouldn’t be consumed, hurricane lily is generally regarded as a “low risk” plant when it comes to toxicity and poisoning risk.
Lycoris radiata: A Beautiful Addition to Any Garden
This is one of those magical plants that truly makes gardening special. Wonderfully shaped, colorful, and surprising when it appears, Lycoris radiata AKA hurricane lily AKA so many other names is fun to grow in either containers or in the ground. Plants like this make gardening fun, and we hope you’ll consider finding some space for a hurricane lily in your own garden. Let us know if you do, and send photos when it blooms—we love to see what you’re up to!
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