Scientific: Hymenocallis littoralis (Synonyms: Hymenocallis americana, Hymenocallis arenaria, Hymenocallis disticha, Hymenocallis insignis, Hymenocallis panamensis, Pancratium distichum, Pancratium tenuiflorum, Troxistemon distichus, Troxistemon littoralis)
Common: spider lily, beach spider lily, Peruvian daffodil
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Origin: Coastal regions of Latin America into tropical South America including Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. Naturalized in tropical portions of Africa, southeast Asia, Mironeasia, and the Pacific islands including Hawaii.
Pronounciation: High-men-c-CAL-is lit-tor-AL-is
Hardiness zones
Sunset 12-13 (with protection), 14-24
USDA 9 (with protection-11
Landscape Use: Shaded garden border, large entryways, filler, textural accent.
Form & Character: Upright, open, delicate, spreading, tender, succulent, vulnerable.
Growth Habit: Tender bulbous, evergreen, herbaceous perennial, strongly clumping, moderate growth to 2- to 4-feet tall with equal spread.
Foliage/Texture: Elongated, strap-shaped, light to medium green, somewhat fleshy to succulent to 4-feet long; medium coarse texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Dramatic white flowers numbering 4 to 6 in an umbell configuation on a slender leafless stalks, flowers petals are narrow like spider legs, vanilla scented; fruits are a fleshy capsule, seeds are large with thick, spongy, green testa.
Seasonal Color: White flowers are dramatic when flowering occurs.
Temperature: Tolerant of Phoenix heat and cold if given appropriate light exclusion (shade).
Light: In Phoenix, partial eastern sun to full shade.
Soil: Tolerant, but in Phoenix grows best in a well-drained soil in Phoenix with an organic surface mulch.
Watering: Spider lily requires regular garden water.
Pruning: Minimal, only the removal of senescing flower stalks or leaves.
Propagation: Seed, but the best method is division of clumps.
Disease and Pests: None
Additional comments: In Phoenix, spider lily is rarely seen. Its requirement for shade in order to grow in Phoenix is imperative. Spider lily has many medicinal uses including wound healing and to promote anti-inflammation.
Taxonomic tidbits: The genus Hymenocallis means 'membraned beauty' referring to its flower's filament cup. The specific epithet littoralis means 'growing by the seashore'.
