Lycoris radiata

Red Spider Surprise Lily

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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Item #: 4054

Zones: 6b to 9b, at least

Dormancy: Summer

Height: 15" tall

Culture: Sun to Light Shade

Origin: China

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


This deer-resistant southern heirloom bulb is one of the most popular plants in old southern gardens. The small, narrow, strap-like, blue-green leaves of Lycoris radiata go dormant in early spring. Then, seemingly out of nowhere in August, the 15" tall spikes emerge from underground, topped with a deciduous azalea-like flower of bright red. After the flowers of the red spider lily fade, the leaves emerge again and persist until spring, producing food for next year's flowering. Lycoris radiata doesn't always flower every year...we feel the flowering is probably controlled by aliens who like to torment Earth-bound gardeners.