Swamp lily Crinum × powellii 'Album'

Water

Swamp Lily requires consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. It should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time, depending on the weather conditions. During hot, dry periods, the watering frequency may need to be increased to ensure the soil does not dry out completely. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant. Ensure the plant has well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

Light

Swamp Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal location for this plant would be a spot where it can receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight daily. It can tolerate some light afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, which can help prevent the leaves from scorching.

Temperature

Swamp Lily prefers warm temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10. The ideal temperature range for optimal growth is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can survive brief periods of temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It's important to protect the plant from frost, which can damage the foliage and flower buds.

Pruning

Pruning the Swamp Lily is not usually necessary, but spent flowers can be deadheaded to maintain a neat appearance and encourage further blooming. Any damaged or yellowing leaves can be removed to keep the plant healthy. Pruning is best done after flowering has finished for the season.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Swamp Lily thrives best in a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter, such as a blend of loam, peat, and sand. The ideal pH for this mix should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.

Repotting

Swamp Lilies typically need repotting every 3 to 4 years as they are slow-growing plants. They should be repotted when the bulbs outgrow their current container or the soil becomes depleted.

Humidity & Misting

Swamp Lily prefers high humidity levels but is adaptable; aim for a relative humidity of around 50-60% for optimal growth.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Swamp Lily in bright indirect light, ensuring high humidity.

• Outdoor

  Plant Swamp Lily in partial shade with moist, fertile soil.

• Hardiness zone

  7-10 USDA

Life cycle

Crinum × powellii 'Album', commonly known as Crinum Lily 'Album', starts its life cycle when a seed germinates in moist, well-drained soil, ideally in spring to early summer. This is followed by the emergence of strap-shaped leaves and development of a bulb, which serves as an energy reserve and anchors the plant in the ground. As the plant matures, it typically forms a rosette of leaves and generates tall flower stalks, each bearing a cluster of fragrant, trumpet-shaped, white flowers, usually in the summer. After blooming, the plant may produce seeds in roundish capsules, if pollination occurs, which can then be dispersed to grow new plants. Alternatively, the bulb itself may divide, producing offsets or "daughter bulbs" that can be separated and planted to propagate the plant asexually. Post-flowering, the plant enters a period of dormancy, especially in regions with cooler winters, where it conserves energy in the bulb until the next growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The Crinum × powellii 'Album', commonly known as the Swamp Lily or Powel's Cape Lily, is typically propagated by division, a method commonly applied to bulbous plants. The preferred time for this activity is late summer to fall after the foliage has died back, which provides the bulb a chance to become dormant. To propagate by division, carefully lift the entire plant out of the ground with a spade, ensuring minimal damage to the bulbs. Separate the clumps into individual bulbs by gently pulling or cutting them apart. It's important to leave as many roots on the bulbs as possible to encourage fast regrowth. Replant the bulbs immediately in well-draining soil at a depth of about 4 inches (approximately 10 centimeters), spacing them about 12 to 18 inches (about 30 to 45 centimeters) apart to ensure sufficient room for growth. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged as the bulbs establish in their new location.