by Bronwynne Bailey
The red spider lily is coming.
Each September something almost magical happens across the South when red spider lilies pop up and surprise everyone. This amaryllis relative has had other common names over the years, including hurricane lily and schoolhouse lily—so named because they bloom in hurricane season and, believe it or not, we used to start school in September. Those were the good old days. It is also commonly called Naked Lady because it has a long, slim stem with no leaves.
Known botanically as Lycoris radiata, you might have thought it was native to the South because of the way it naturalizes with ease and brings color and beauty to the overheated landscape. But this fascinating, easy-to-grow bulb originates in Japan.
Plant red spider lily bulbs in the spring in fertile, organic-rich, well-drained beds in full or partial sun. Place the bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep, spacing 6 to 8 inches apart. They can be planted in straight lines for a formal look, but usually look better in bold, informal drifts. Water the blooming spider lily well to extend its floral show as long as possible.
Once the flower is finished, the foliage arises and will make food for the bulb from fall or winter through late spring. The temptation is to mow those that have naturalized or cut them back for a tidy look, but this will harm the next season’s bloom.
If you want to move this plant, divide in the spring as the foliage starts to turn yellow. This is the best way to share bulbs or expand your flowers to other areas. Even better is to get your own bulbs this winter.
Because the red spider lily does not bloom long, it makes a vibrant addition to beds with a ground cover like ivy, creeping jenny, or creeping phlox: the flowers will emerge above the groundcover but will not be missed when they retreat into the ground. The tropical appearance of the lily makes them a great companion plant for bananas and elephant ears. Use them under rice paper plants or try planting drifts among blue-green hostas.
In addition to the red spider lily, look for the white Alba, the yellow-gold Lycoris aurea (zones eight to ten) and Lycoris squamigera, the real Naked Lady. This plant features pink blooms during the summer and is cold hardy.
The red spider lily will be out of sight and out of mind soon. These bulbs are at garden centers mostly in late winter and early spring. They will surprise you next fall.
Lafayette County Master Gardener Association 2025 Fall Lecture
The Lafayette County Master Gardeners are hosting a Fall Lecture on Saturday, October 4 from
10 until 11:30 am. The presentation will be held at the Lafayette County-MSU Extension Office at 70 F.
D. Buddy East Parkway. The program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. If you have any
questions, contact the Lafayette County Master Gardeners at lcmga38@gmail.com. Doors open at
9:30 am for registration and refreshments.\
Name of presentation: Fall and Winter Gardening.
This program will highlight key gardening practices to keep landscapes thriving through the cooler
months and lay the groundwork for a vibrant and successful spring.
Presenter: Dr. Eddie Smith
Dr. Smith is the Mississippi State University Extension (MSU-ES) County Coordinator/Extension
Agent in Pearl River County. He has been employed with MSU-ES since July 1, 2008. He was the
2014 State Master Gardener Coordinator of the Year. He is also an International Society of
Arboriculture Certified Arborist. On January 1, 2023, he accepted the additional responsibility as the
Host for Southern Gardening. Eddie was a schoolteacher for seven years prior to working for MSU-
ES. He has a B.S. and master’s from William Carey University and a Ph.D. from The University of
Southern Mississippi. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Picayune, MS, Eddie has always loved
plants and animals. In his free time, he likes to work in his yard and garden, travel, fish, and spend
time with friends and family
About the Author
