Spider Lily
Lycoris radiatafam. Amaryllidaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. 55EC — Lycoris radiata
Lycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiataLycoris radiata
IOverview
Overview
The Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) is a bulbous plant native to Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, China's North-Central, South-Central, and Southeast regions, as well as Japan and Korea. This member of the Amaryllidaceae family thrives in full sun with moist soil that is light (sandy) or medium, making it adaptable to various conditions. Known for its ornamental value due to its distinctive spider-like flowers, the Spider Lily also has edible roots which can be consumed after proper preparation. Its hardiness ranges from zones 8-10, allowing it to withstand temperatures typical of these regions.
Quick answers
What is Spider Lily?
The Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata) is a bulbous plant native to Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, China's North-Central, South-Central, and Southeast regions, as well as Japan and Korea.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Spider Lily thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-draining soil that is light (sandy) to medium. It grows best in hardiness zones 8-10 and reaches a height of about 0.5 meters. The edible parts are the roots, which can be harvested for culinary use. Skip hardiness details if you're outside these zones.
Light
Full sun
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
8-10
Mature size
0.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Spider Lily for the first time
8steps
Start with Spider Lilies to add a unique touch to your garden, focusing on basic care.
- 1
What you'll need
Spider Lily bulbs and well-draining soil.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in late summer or early fall for spring blooms.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with full sun and prepare loose, sandy to medium soil.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant bulbs 5-10 cm deep and 15-20 cm apart in the ground or containers.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly until shoots appear, then keep moist but not waterlogged.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun and regular watering during growth. Fertilize lightly once a month.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
No need to harvest; simply remove spent flowers and dead leaves after blooming.
- 8
Common mistakes
Planting too deep, overwatering, neglecting sun exposure, not providing enough drainage, and using heavy fertilizers.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: The Spider Lily's roots are edible and can be prepared in various ways. They are typically cooked or dried before consumption. SKIP
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
9 native · 9 introduced
Distribution
9 native · 9 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 9 native· 9 introduced
Asia8 regions
native (7)AfghanistanChinaIranJapanNepalSouth KoreaTurkmenistan
introduced (1)Georgia
Africa1 region
introduced (1)Seychelles
Broader regions
introduced:Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nansei-shoto, Virginia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Amaryllidaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Amaryllidaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 55ec1f35-715a-4a41-84b3-60fb1b9bf650
Decision aid
Choosing between Spider Lily and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.