Rain Lily

Rain lily (Zephyranthes species) does exactly what the name promises. Days after a summer downpour a clump lifts a flush of white or soft pink trumpets that were not there the week before, holds them briefly, then rests until the next soaking. It is a small clumping bulb, roughly 30cm tall and 25cm across, which puts it at the front of a bed or along a path edge.

Why you'll love it

• It flowers on cue. Rainfall triggers the flush, so several displays across a wet summer is normal.
• Small enough for the front row. At 30cm by 25cm it edges a path or driveway without ever needing cutting back off the concrete.
• Heat, humidity and dry spells all suit it. Tropical wet seasons and hot inland summers are met with the same indifference.
• The clump thickens itself. Bulbs divide underground, so a thin first season planting fills into a solid ribbon over two or three summers.
• Almost nothing to do. No staking, no deadheading, no spraying.

Where it works best

Borders and edging. Plant 15cm apart in a continuous line. It looks sparse on day one and reads as a solid green edge by the second summer, which is the point.

Mass planting. Also 15cm apart, roughly 44 plants a square metre. Use it under established shrubs or across a hot strip where lawn struggles.

Pots and rockeries. The grassy foliage suits a shallow bowl, a rockery pocket or the gaps between stepping stones. Drainage matters more than pot size.

Growing rain lily in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun brings the heaviest flowering, and light shade thins the flushes. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical, warm temperate, arid and semi-arid gardens. It takes light frost only, so in cool temperate and frosty inland gardens grow it in a pot that can shift under cover for winter.

Soil. Free draining is the only real requirement. Set the clump with the neck of the bulb at soil level, and on heavy clay raise the bed or work coarse sand through it. Waterlogged winter soil rots bulbs faster than any drought harms them.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first spring and summer, then let the weather take over. A light dressing of complete fertiliser in early spring is enough for the season.

Pruning. None needed. Tidy spent stems and tired leaves in late winter, and divide congested clumps every three or four years to keep the flowering heavy.

What to expect when it arrives

Rain lily is sold here in tube stock only. Each tube holds a young clump with a few strappy leaves, and a first season planting normally puts its energy into roots rather than flowers. Expect a modest showing in the first summer and a proper display in the second.

Tube stock travels well, with little top growth to bruise. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, which at this price means buying enough for a real run of edging. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Choosing edging plants for a clean garden line
• Plants suited to mass planting
• Browse the rockery plant range
• Compact plants for pots and containers

Common questions

How far apart should I plant rain lilies?

Fifteen centimetres apart for edging or mass planting, near 44 plants a square metre. Wider spacing still grows well, it just takes an extra season for the clumps to meet.

When does it flower?

After rain through the warmer months, usually within three to five days of a decent soaking. Dry summers give fewer flushes, and a garden on regular irrigation flowers more often than one relying on the sky.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. The bulbs contain lycorine and are toxic to pets if dug up and chewed, with vomiting the usual result. Plant where a digging dog cannot reach them, or choose something else if that is a real risk.