Rain lily (Zephyranthes sarae)
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 sarae, commonly known as Rain Lily, is a small perennial bulbous plant from the Amaryllidaceae family, native to South America. It is notable for its delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers that emerge rapidly after rainfall, often in light pink or white. It is ideal for pots, rockeries, or borders, adding an ephemeral yet charming touch to the garden.
Native range
South America: Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Care tips
It requires full sun to partial shade for optimal blooming. Watering should be moderate, increasing during growth and flowering periods, and drastically reducing during dormancy. It prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter. A common mistake is overwatering during dormancy, which can lead to bulb rot.
How to save a dying Rain lily
- Warning signs
- Soft yellow leaves, wilting, basal rot. Lack of flowering.
- First aid
- Remove bulb, check for rot. If healthy, repot in well-draining soil and pot with holes. Drastically reduce watering.
- What kills it
- Overwatering, especially in winter. Bulbs rot easily with constant moisture. Lack of direct sun.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the bulb is not completely rotted. Recovery is slow but possible if watering is corrected.