Hymenocallis howardii

Howard's Spider Lily

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Item #: 8111

Zones: 8a to 10b, at least

Dormancy: Winter

Height: 24" tall

Culture: Sun

Origin: Mexico

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


This rare spider lily was discovered in the west Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit by the late Thad Howard of Texas and named in 1989. Compared to many other hymenocallis, Hymenocallis howardii is much smaller, producing a clump of narrow glaucous-green leaves and topped, from mid-June through mid-July, with 2' tall spikes of large, spider-like, pure white flowers. We have found this very easy to grow in average to dry garden soils. Thanks to Thad for sharing this before his death, with the charge to get it propagated and into the trade. We overwintered Hymenocallis howardii without any problem at 9 degrees F until a subsequently wet and frozen winter killed our original clump, so, note to self...provide really good winter drainage and plant deep enough to avoid frozen soils!