In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about caring for the Red Spider lily and why it’s sacred to some cultures.
The Red Spider Lily, scientifically known as Lycoris Radiata, is a stunning flower that will add color to your chilly winters. As other plants get ready to go dormant for falling temperature, the Red Spider Lily is getting ready to bloom. This plant is also known as the ‘naked lily’ or ‘hurricane flower.’ Both of these names signify the physical quality of the flower.
Many might not be aware of this but the Red Spider Lily can be grown indoors. Just make sure you take care of the plant and keep an eye on the environmental factors.
The bright red flowers appear before the deep green leaves unfurl, giving it the name “naked lily.” The name “spider lily”, on the other hand, comes from the delicate stamens of the flowers resembling spider legs. In the state of Florida, the bloom of Red Spider Lily coincides with hurricane season, earning it the nickname “hurricane flower.”
Source: Wikipedia
Many people like to grow it in their gardens, while others prefer to grow it indoors in pots. You can also use vertical planters to plant the Red Spider lily, the vibrant blooms adding color and charm to your apartment. Native to Asia, the Red Spider Lily can be found growing in various parts of the southeastern United States. It is often spread among annuals and perennials to add a splash of color to your front yard. In this article, we will tell you how to care for the Red Spider Lily so it can grow and thrive in your garden. So let’s dive in!
Planting Tips For The Red Spider Lily
The Red Spider Lily is the perfect plant to grow if you want to add a pop of color to your surroundings. Whether it’s grown indoors in ceramic pots or planted outdoors in the ground, the Spider Lilies seem to sprout from bare earth as there is no greenery to indicate the place the bulb has been planted. The pretty florals last about two weeks, followed by rich green foliage taking its place. Spider Lilies are easy to grow and care for. Some easy steps that will make the process easier include:
Location: Indoor or Outdoor
The first aspect to consider before Red Spider Lilies can be planted is where to place them. Red Spider lilies do not like to be moved around and relocated. Choose a spot in your lawn, surrounded by other smaller plants, or bury the bulbs in pots that can be placed indoors. Either way, the location of red spider lilies should be more or less permanent to ensure the best results.
Planting
Red Spider lilies grow better when they are not entirely buried in the soil. Plant the bulbs in such a way that the neck is above ground level. Otherwise, the plant’s ability to flower will be affected. Like Tulips, Red Spider Lilies do not produce seeds that can be used for propagation.
New plants of Red Spider lilies are grown with the help of bulbs. The best time to plant these bulbs is during the fall and spring months; however, some believe summer months are better to grow them. Each bulb will produce one to four floral stems. Each flower is about 2 – 2.5 inches across, consisting of six wavy, bright-red, back-swept petals.
Sun and Light for the Red Spider Lily
Red Spider lilies grow well in full sun or partial shade, so they can be planted in a variety of locations. They grow best in partial shade, and the flowers also bloom earlier. Spacing should ideally be about eight to ten inches apart in a partly sunny area to give the Red Spider lilies optimal conditions to grow.
While they can also grow in full sun, the hot and humid areas may often scorch the delicate petals when exposed to bright sunlight for six to eight hours a day. If your garden receives both kinds of light, plant them in full as well as partial sun to see which grow better in your local climate and increase the number of blooms. Rows of vibrant red flowers blooming together is a sight for sore eyes.
Soil Preference
Red Spider lilies prefer soil rich in organic matter. Mix the soil with manure and natural fertilizers to ensure optimal growing conditions for the Red Spider lily. The soil should have medium amounts of moisture and should also be well-draining. You can use a moisture meter to detect the level of water in the ground at the root level.
With a scale ranging from wet and moist to dry, the moisture meter is a good investment if you plan on taking up gardening, especially growing Red Spider lilies long-term. The Red Spider lilies prefer a slightly alkaline pH. The soil should not stay wet for long periods and dry out between rains. Dig a hole in the softened earth and place them with the bulb facing upwards. Care should be taken to avoid covering the bulb with soil as those bulbs will not flower.
Watering the Red Spider Lily
Red Spider lilies do not grow well in wet soil. Keep the ground lightly moist and let it dry in between watering sessions. Keeping the soil wet for long hours can also be the cause of root rot. Water lightly before the stem emerges from the bulb and continue watering moderately throughout the growing season.
Since the Red Spider lily stays dormant through the summers, it is better to keep the soil dry during this time. The roots deep into the ground can tap into the water reserves of the surroundings and absorb them according to their needs. Moist soil during summers will lead to bulb rot. During fall and winters, the rains should take over the watering, however, if you live in a place where rainfall is not a common occurrence, water the plants as needed.
Temperature And Humidity
While the Red Spider lily thrives in winter and bears flowers, ensuring the plant does not freeze is important. Covering the soil with a layer of mulch can help keep the water liquid and prevent weeds’ growth. Weeds compete with the roots of the plants for water and nutrients and impede the growth of the plant.
Mulch mats are an easy and convenient way of preventing the exposed bulbs from freezing in the winters. The Red Spider lilies prefer humidity levels of 40-50 percent. Indoors the humidity can be rapidly wiped out, so it’s better to use a humidity gauge than to rely on guesses.
Miscellaneous
Red Spider lilies also do not need to be fed too much. Over-fertilizing can easily burn the shoots and leaves. Keep the fertilizing moderate and add a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks. Peat moss-based potting mix is often thought to be the best potting mix for Red Spider lilies. Like other lilies, the bulbs of this plant are poisonous to cats, dogs, and children, so keep them out of reach of animals and kids.
Remove the yellow and withered leaves with the help of pruning shears. While they thrive in partial shade, the complete shade will prevent them from blooming. Make sure their location receives adequate sunlight as they resent repotting. Red Spider lilies are often pest and disease resistant, so you do not have to worry too much on that front. Make sure the soil adequately dries between watering sessions or bulb rot can set in.
Red Spider Lily Significance
Native throughout Asia, Red Spider lilies are often found mentioned in ancient texts. Most cultures associate them with final goodbyes and believe these flowers grow wherever people part ways for good. According to ancient Buddhist scriptures, the red spider lily is said to guide the dead through samsara, the cycle of rebirth. Some Asian cultures associate the Red Spider lily with death and reincarnation.
In Japanese, the Red Spider lily is known as ‘Manjushage,’ which means ‘flower of the heavens.’ Repeated mention of this particular flower in religious texts makes it a respected and beloved plant throughout Asia. The vibrant colors are associated with death, rebirth, and guiding the lost souls to redemption.