What is Zephyranthes?

Zephyranthes is a genus belonging to the Amaryllis family. With 71 known species, it is commonly known as rainflower because the blooms of these species usually appear after a rain. Other names used to refer to the plants under this genus include zephyr lily, atamasco lily, and magic lily. This flora is indigenous in America, but some species have grown and become naturalized in Hawaii, Thailand, and Indonesia. The species that grow locally in North America and areas of Mexico with higher altitude have cold hardiness potential.

These ornamental plants are favored by many ecological niches because of their ability to tolerate adverse growing conditions, from desert-like climates to periodically wet soils. Individual species are identified using characteristics like floral morphology, leaf morphology, or bulb tunic color and size. The flowers of Zephyranthes plants, sometimes called fairy lily, have a wide variety of colors, but the most common are shades of white, yellow, and pink. Most species produce sweet, fragrant flowers, but the pleasant scent is recessive in some hybrids. Typically, Zephyranthes flowers last for one to two days, though successive blooms have a greater tendency to appear during rainy weather.

Some species found in the wild are transient but become persistent when under cultivation. Their leaves vary in size from tiny and grass-like types to broad and glaucous. When exposed to bright sunlight, a few species may display distinct bronze hues. Spring and autumn are the peak seasons for most species to produce more blooms.

A seed is the medium used to reproduce Zephyranthes plants. Seeds can be stored for a short period, but it is ideal to sow promptly after harvest. Sterility is a problem in hybrids and is often an impediment in botanical breeding programs. Successful man-made crosses produce flowers with colors including orange, red, and tan. There are also other complex hybrids with stripes, blends, and picotees.

Zephyranthes plants are ideal for rock gardens since the height of these hardy bulbs ranges from 2 to 12 inches (5 to 30 cm). In growing these ornamental plants, bulbs are more preferable, as it will take three to four years to produce flowers when using seeds. The hardy bulbs can be grown in both sunny and partially shaded areas of the garden for as long as good drainage is provided. Watering should be done regularly during dry periods because they thrive in moist soil. Mulch can also be supplied to the bulbs in autumn as a defense against harsh winters.