Family: Amaryllidaceae

Native to tropical and warm climates around the world, these bulbous plants are similar to Amaryllis and Hippeastrum. While known as lilies, they do not belong to the lily family. These clump-forming plants are very easy to grow and their pretty flowers come in white, pink or red.

Species

C. asiaticum var. sinica, from China, has thick, strappy leaves and flowers comprised of a green tube and white segments. It grows to 1 m (3 ft).

C. bulbispermum, a South African species, has narrow, glossy leaves and white or pink, tunnel-shaped flowers in summer.

C. moorei, a popular species, is larger than C. bulbispermum and has pink or white flowers. Var. album has white flowers.

C. x powellii, zone 7, a hybrid, grows to 60 cm (24 in) in height, with pink to rose flowers. It blooms from the late summer into the autumn.

Cultivation

Crinums like rich soil and moisture during their growing period, but require no water during their semi-dormant, winter period. Bulbs must be planted with at least two-thirds of the bulb above soil level. In climates prone to hard frosts, grow in pots in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. Propagate by offsets from bulbs or by division of the clumps.

Climate

Zone 9 for most species.