Alphabetical Plant Listing

Crinum americanum (Swamp Lily)

Swamp Lily, Florida Swamp Lily, Southern Swamp Lily, Spider Lily, Water Spider Lily, American Crinum Lily, Seven Sisters, String Lily, Crinum Lily


Crinum americanum (Swamp Lily) is a bulbous perennial boasting sweetly fragrant umbels of 2-6 starbursts of white petals, although they may take on a pink blush, 4 in. long (10 cm), adorned with remarkably long purple stamens. Blooming in succession from early summer to early fall, the blossoms rise atop leafless scapes, well above the foliage clump of narrow, evergreen, strap-shaped leaves, 2-4 ft. long (60-120 cm). This Swamp lily does best in very wet soil or slightly under the water level. Perfect for water gardens, ponds, and streams, Crinum americanum will stand out against the swampy margins of freshwater ponds like a star in the night.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in moist to wet, organically rich soil. Best growth occurs in full sun, but some light shade is appreciated during the heat of the day in hot summer areas. This plant will also grow in standing water to 6 in. deep (15 cm).
  • Excellent choice for moist to wet areas of the garden, water gardens, near ponds and streams.
  • Reliable, easy to grow, generally disease and pest free. However, watch out for slugs and snails or leaf scorch.
  • Native to the southern United States.
  • Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset

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Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 10
Heat Zones 8 – 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Crinum
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Wall-Side Borders, Water Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

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Holly Guerrio, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 10
Heat Zones 8 – 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Crinum
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southwest, Texas
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Wall-Side Borders, Water Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

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