Swamp lily Crinum × powellii

Water

The Swamp Lily should be watered deeply, with water reaching at least several inches into the soil to ensure moisture reaches the root zone. During the growing season, allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again, which typically amounts to watering once every 7 to 10 days, depending on the climate and weather conditions. Each watering should be thorough, providing the plant with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water to ensure deep soil saturation. In winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering significantly to prevent root rot, supplying water only when the soil is dry to the touch.

Light

Swamp Lilies thrive when planted in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least four to six hours of direct sunlight each day. A spot that receives morning sunlight with dappled shade in the afternoon is ideal to prevent the leaves from scorching in areas with very intense sunlight.

Temperature

Swamp Lilies do best in warmer climates, with ideal growing temperatures ranging from 60°F to 90°F. They can survive minimum temperatures down to approximately 28°F, but they should be protected from frost. Maximum temperatures should not exceed 90°F to prevent heat stress.

Pruning

Pruning Swamp Lilies is primarily done to remove spent flower stalks and dead foliage. Cut back the flower stalks after blooming to redirect the plant's energy to root and foliage development. Prune the foliage only when it has turned yellow, typically in late fall or early winter. Pruning helps maintain an attractive appearance and may encourage more vigorous growth in the next season.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Swamp lily thrives in fertile, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. A mixture of loamy soil, compost, and perlite or coarse sand enhances drainage and provides essential nutrients. Regular addition of organic matter will keep the soil fertile and suitable for the swamp lily's growth.

Repotting

Swamp lily, or Crinum × powellii, generally requires repotting every 3 to 4 years. It's best to repot when the bulb outgrows its current container or if the soil has become compacted and nutrient-depleted, which can hamper its growth and blooming.

Humidity & Misting

Swamp lily prefers moderate to high humidity levels, around 40-60%. Consistently maintaining this range of humidity around the plant will promote healthy growth and flowering. Do not allow the air to become too dry, especially in indoor conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure bright light, warm temps, and moist soil for indoor swamp lilies.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun to partial shade with moist, rich soil for outdoor swamp lilies.

• Hardiness zone

  7-10 USDA

Life cycle

Crinum × powellii, commonly known as swamp lily, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in warm, moist soil, often in late spring or early summer. The young plant develops a bulb from which strap-like leaves emerge, forming a rosette at the soil surface. As the plant matures, typically within the first few years, it sends up a tall flower stalk bearing fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that range from white to pink in summer. After pollination, which is often aided by moths and other nocturnal insects, the flowers produce seed capsules that eventually dry and release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Throughout its life, the swamp lily continues to grow and can propagate asexually by forming offsets or "daughter" bulbs alongside the parent bulb. These offsets can be separated and planted to produce new plants, allowing the swamp lily to spread and create clumps in its growing area.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Propogation: The Crinum × powellii, also known as the Swamp Lily, is best propagated through the division of its bulbs, ideally in the late fall or early spring when the plant is not actively growing. The most popular method involves gently digging up the mature bulb clusters and carefully separating them into individual bulbs, ensuring that each new section has at least one growing point or shoot. Once divided, the bulbs should be immediately replanted at a depth of about 4 to 5 inches (approximately 10 to 12.7 centimeters) with the pointed end facing upwards, spaced around 8 to 12 inches (approximately 20 to 30 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. These newly planted bulbs should then be watered thoroughly to help establish roots and initiate growth in their new location.