Hymenocallis liriosme (Western Marsh Spider Lily)

Hymenocallis liriosme (Western Marsh Spider Lily) is a bulbous perennial boasting elegant and unusual-looking, sweetly fragrant flowers from late winter to early fall. The flowers open up to look like white spiders, each exquisite blossom featuring a central cup and 6 incredibly long, slender, petal-like tepals. They are borne atop leafless stalks that rise from a basal clump of arching, narrow, strap-shaped, glossy green leaves, 1-3 ft. long (30-90 cm).

Hymenocallis liriosme (Western Marsh Spider Lily) is a bulbous perennial boasting elegant and unusual-looking, sweetly fragrant flowers from late winter to early fall. The flowers open up to look like white spiders, each exquisite blossom featuring a central cup and 6 incredibly long, slender, petal-like tepals. They are borne atop leafless stalks that rise from a basal clump of arching, narrow, strap-shaped, glossy green leaves, 1-3 ft. long (30-90 cm). Native to the southeastern United States, Western Marsh Spider Lily grows naturally along marsh and pond margins, swamps, alluvial woods and ditches. Adding flare and fragrance to moist borders, bog gardens, water gardens or along streams and ponds, Western Marsh Spider Lily can be brought indoors in the fall and overwintered as a houseplant.

  • Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in humus-rich, fertile, consistently moist to wet soils. This plant will grow in standing water up to 2 in. deep (5 cm) and will tolerate seasonal flooding. Soils must never be allowed to dry out.
  • Reliable, easy to grow, generally disease and pest free. Keep an eye out for snails, caterpillars and mealy bugs.
  • Plant bulbs 4 in. deep (10 cm) and 6-10 in. apart (15-25 cm).
  • Remove foliage after it turns yellow.
  • Native to the southeastern United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 7
– 10

Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Hymenocallis
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 6″
– 10″
(15cm
– 25cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens