Rain lily (Zephyranthes alba)
Care, watering, light and tips for Rain lily on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Rain lily
Zephyranthes alba, also known as the White Rain Lily, is a charming small perennial bulbous plant, prized for its delicate white trumpet-shaped flowers that typically emerge after rainfall. Its pure and elegant blooms make it ideal for borders, rock gardens, or for adding a touch of freshness to pots and planters on patios and balconies.
Native range
South America, from Colombia to Argentina and Uruguay
Care tips
It thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight for abundant flowering. Watering should be moderate, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings, and increasing it during flowering periods; avoid waterlogging, as its bulbs are susceptible to rot. It prefers well-drained and fertile soil, ideally a bulb mix or garden soil with sand. A common mistake is overwatering when the plants are dormant, which can lead to bulb rot.
How to save a dying Rain lily
- Warning signs
- Yellow or soft leaves, rot at the bulb base. No flowering after rain.
- First aid
- Remove bulb, check for rot. Cut damaged parts, apply fungicide, repot in well-draining substrate.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage. The bulb rots easily if waterlogged.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the bulb is not completely rotted. Act quickly at first symptoms.