Zephyranthes

Rain Lilies. Along with the closely related Habranthus, these are so-named as many are summer-dormant but then re-appear, suddenly, with a succession of flowers after the first of the autumn rains, in their native habitats. They are found in the wild from the USA south to Argentina with Mexico being particularly rich in species.

Many Zephyranthes species will flower on and off all year in cultivation and most can be tricked into flowering by withholding water for 6 weeks, then re-watering.

The most well-known, Zephyranthes candida, is virtually hardy in the UK, but most of the species are best grown under cool glass where they flower far more freely. Enthusiasts in other, warmer, countries will be able to grow them outside. The majority are very easily cultivated asking only for a well-drained, fertile, loam based soil and they display a greater range of colours, sizes, shapes and flowering times than many, more familiar, bulbs.