Last updated on November 29th, 2025 at 04:40 pm
It is considered a bulb and can grow almost one ft. tall. The rain lily can tolerate full sun even in the hot American Southwest, provided you give it ample water during the summer, which means daily for the first two weeks after initial planting.
Rain Lily plants are Easy to grow
The foliage is evergreen but looks a little ruff during the winter season. A good pruning in early spring, and they will grow out nicely. They are easy to grow and maintain, but not drought-tolerant plants. Watering often in late spring and early summer will ensure lots of blooms. The blades of the lily are thick and resemble grass shoots. If it weren’t for the small, colorful flowers, you would think it is some type of ornamental grass.
Rain Lily plants respond extremely well to consistent moisture, especially during their active growing and blooming seasons. Installing a drip irrigation system is one of the best ways to meet their watering needs because it delivers slow, even moisture directly to the root zone without wasting water. For most landscapes in the Southwest, setting your timer for about 20 minutes every other day provides just the right amount of moisture to keep Rain Lilies healthy and ready to bloom after rainfall or watering cycles.
However, immediately after planting, the soil tends to dry out more quickly, and the roots need extra support while they establish. For this reason, it’s important to water every day for the first week or two to help the bulbs settle in and prevent stress. Once they’re established, you can switch back to your every-other-day schedule. With proper watering, Rain Lilies will reward you with vibrant blooms throughout the warm months.
What about Soil?
They like rich, loamy soil that drains well. Try using potting soil, as this type of soil is rich, loose, and loamy.
If you are lucky enough to find Rain Lily bulbs at your local nursery, buy them and plant them asap. They also come in potted containers for easier planting. There are numerous hybrids from bright pink to orange in color. The most common is the white and light pink ones.
It is best to cover with mulch during the winter season to help protect the root system.
Rain lily is in the Amaryllis family. Read more over at Wikipedia.
Another great lily is the Canna Lily – Canna Lily plant care outdoor landscape.
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