Photo of Zephyranthes candida flower, foliage, form by Kenpei

Photo by Kenpei

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Zephyranthes candida

Also Known As

  • Zephyranthes candida 'White'
  • Zephyranthes candida var. major
  • Rain Lily
  • White Fairy Lily
  • White Rain Lily
  • White Zephyr Lily

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

  • H: 6"-12"
  • W: 4"-8"

planting zones

  • 7a-10b

More Options

Zephyranthes candida plant details

Zephyranthes candida is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In fall, spring and summer white flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Does well in average, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Zephyranthes candida

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: amaryllidaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 4 IN - 8 IN - wide, 6 IN - 12 IN - tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall, spring and summer
Uses: border plant, container plant, easy-to-grow, edging plant, fall color, rock garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Zephyranthes candida

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A small bulb native to the seasonal wetlands of South America, this white, open, crocus-like bloom with narrow, grass-green leaves, opens late summer to fall and likes summer water. Typically it bursts into bloom after heavy, prolonged rains, hence the name. Appropriate for containers as well as the garden bed. 7" tall, well-drained site. Minimum temperature: 0 °F
Candida Rain lilies are also known as White Fairy lilies because they are tiny, perfect and virtually appear out of nowhere. Late summer rains nudge them into growth and suddenly, there they are, dozens or hundreds of them. These delightful minis, with threadlike stems, spread where happy. And that, of course, makes for an all round happier garden.

By: Leafari

Sweet little South American lily relative with handsome semi-evergreen foliage, grass-like and in 1 x 2 ft or so clumps. Abundant, clear white, star-like blooms appear in late summer to early fall. A lovely addition to the border where soil is rich and moisture available. Blooms best when allowed to dry a bit between flowerings. Sun to part shade. USDA zone 7
This species of rain lily grows in the Rio de la Plata region in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile. It is an easy to grow species with narrow foliage and beautiful pure white flowers centred with yellow that emerge in late summer and fall. Hardy to zone 7 with protection of a winter mulch. In colder regions bring pots into a frost-free area and allow to go dormant until spring.
"Absurdly easy and prolific," writes Scott Ogden in Garden Bulbs for the South of this cheery little flower. Over grassy foliage, its short, white, crocus-like flowers open after late-summer rains. Discovered by Spanish explorers in the 1500s, it grew so thickly along Argentina's Rio de la Plata that it inspired its name: River of Silver. Praised by Bostonian E.S. Rand in his 1866 Bulbs, it's easy in pots in the North and perennial in zones 7-11.
Plant above water line

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

Forms large clumps of glossy leaves to 12 inches long with crocus-like, glossy flowers 2 inches long in late summer and fall. Flowers are pure white outside, tinged rose inside, carried singly on stems as long as leaves. Plant in sun or light shade and most soils with moderate watering. A short summer drought will promote heavier blooming. Hardy to 20 °F. Argentina and Uruguay.
This is an Amaryllis relative native to the Americas. Great outdoors in the south, excellent for indoor pots and plants. Tolerates any soil type. EASY to grow. Blooms several times in late summer and fall, after heavy rains (hence their common name "Rain Lily"). Hardy in zones 6-11, elsewhere dig and store for the winter. These will multiply quickly and naturalize. In the wild this species often grows in swampy, shady conditions. I have had success in full blazing Arizona sun with clay-loam soil that is dry for months at a time. It stays nearly evergreen for me when watered regularly. Very adaptable. Bulbs are mixed blooming sizes, harvested fresh.
2" white star-like cupped flowers are held above and among the deep green rush-like foliage of this hardy but dainty little bulb in summer and fall. A freely multiplying perennial that will surprise you with it's display after a rain. Use rainlilies at the front of the border, as an accent plant, in rock gardens, or along stepping stones and walks.Rainlilies are exceptionally hardy bulbous plants that multiply freely and are tolerant of a wide range of soil types assuming that they get average or better drainage. They do their best flowering when grown in full or mostly sun locations. Rainlilies know the difference between rainwater and the water hose. Apparently there is a small amount of nitrates that fall with the rain which signals the plants to flower.

Gardening facts about Zephyranthes candida plant

How to Grow Zephyranthes candida

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - occasional
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • grassy
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