Lycoris albiflora, commonly known as White Spider Lily, is an ornamental perennial bulb valued for its unusual flower structure and elegant pale colouring.

Its flowers typically display:

• Creamy-white to soft ivory petals

• Gracefully recurved petals

• Long, fine projecting stamens

• Small golden-yellow anthers

• Tall upright flowering stalks

The flowers often appear on almost bare stems, making the blooms seem to emerge suddenly from the ground.

This distinctive flowering habit gives Lycoris a very different appearance from conventional lilies and flowering bulbs.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Lycoris albiflora

• Common Name: White Spider Lily

• Pack Size: Single Bulb

• Plant Type: Perennial flowering bulb

• Flower Colour: Creamy White / Ivory White

• Flower Form: Spider-like blooms with long stamens

• Growth Habit: Upright flower stalks

• Foliage: Narrow, strap-like green leaves

• Flowering Period: Late summer to early autumn

• Best Planting Season: September–November

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• Water Requirement: Moderate

• Maintenance: Low to moderate

• Suitable For: Flower beds, borders, pathways, pots and grow bags

• Perennial: Yes

• Edible: No – Ornamental use only

Recommended GREEN GARDENS Grow Bag

GREEN GARDENS G-12 Grow Bag

The GREEN GARDENS G-12 Grow Bag is recommended for growing Lycoris White as a container specimen.

G-12 Specifications

• Diameter: 12 Inches

• Height: 12 Inches

• Capacity: 6 Gallons

• Fabric: 300 GSM Felt

• Handles: 2

For comfortable long-term growth:

Plant approximately 1–2 Lycoris bulbs per G-12 Grow Bag.

For larger group plantings, use a bigger container or garden bed.

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Recommended Soil / Potting Mix

Lycoris White grows best in a fertile but well-draining growing medium.

A practical container mixture can contain:

50% Bhalu Mitti / Sandy Garden Soil
25% GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost
25% Cocopeat, leaf compost or another suitable aerating material

The growing medium should be:

• Loose

• Well aerated

• Rich in organic matter

• Moisture-retentive without remaining soggy

• Free draining

Avoid heavy clay soil that remains wet for extended periods.

Recommended GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

A moderate amount of vermicompost can be incorporated into the planting medium to improve organic matter and root-zone conditions.

GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost 5kg

Suitable for grow bags, pots and smaller home-gardening requirements.

View GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost 5kg 🔗

GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost 25kg

Suitable for flower beds, larger gardens and multiple containers.

View GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost 25kg 🔗

Growing Instructions

1. Inspect the Bulb

Before planting, check that the bulb is:

• Firm

• Healthy

• Free from severe rot

• Free from excessive softness

• Free from heavy fungal growth

Dry outer bulb scales can be normal on dormant bulbs.

Planting Position

Choose a location receiving:

Full sun to partial shade

In Lahore and other areas with very intense summer heat, a position receiving:

Morning sun with some protection from strong afternoon heat

can be beneficial.

Good light supports healthy bulb development and future flowering.

Planting Depth

Lycoris bulbs should not be buried excessively deep.

Place the bulb upright with:

• Roots facing downward

• Neck facing upward

Plant so that most of the bulb is inside the growing medium while the:

Upper neck remains close to or slightly above soil level.

Avoid covering the bulb with several inches of heavy soil.

Spacing

For flower beds and larger containers, maintain approximately:

6–8 inches between bulbs

This allows adequate room for:

• Root development

• Bulb multiplication

• Air circulation

• Future clump formation

When growing several bulbs together, arrange them in informal groups rather than perfectly straight lines for a more natural garden display.

Watering

Immediately After Planting

Water thoroughly once after planting to settle the growing medium around the bulb.

During Active Growth

Keep the soil:

Moderately moist but never continuously wet.

Allow excess water to drain freely.

During Dormancy

Once foliage naturally dies back:

Reduce watering considerably.

Avoid keeping dormant bulbs in permanently wet soil.

Drainage Requirements

Good drainage is particularly important for bulb health.

Avoid:

• Waterlogged soil

• Standing water

• Heavy compact soil

• Pots without drainage

• Excessive watering

• Continuously wet conditions during dormancy

Poor drainage can encourage bulb rot.

Flowering & Growth Cycle

Lycoris White has an unusual and very attractive seasonal cycle.

Late Summer to Early Autumn

Tall flowering stalks emerge from the soil.

The flowers usually appear on stems with:

Little or no foliage visible around them.

This produces the characteristic dramatic Lycoris display.

After Flowering

Long, narrow leaves begin emerging.

These leaves help the bulb replenish its stored energy.

Autumn & Winter

The foliage remains active during the cooler part of the year.

Spring

Leaves gradually begin yellowing and naturally die back.

Summer

The bulb enters its dormant period before the next flowering cycle.

Fertilization

Lycoris White does not require excessive feeding.

At planting time, mix a moderate quantity of:

GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost

into the soil or potting medium.

During active leaf growth, a light organic top dressing may be applied when required.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer because very lush foliage does not necessarily result in more flowers.

After Flowering Care

After flowering:

• Allow flower stalks to finish naturally.

• Remove dry flower stalks when required.

• Do not cut healthy green foliage.

• Continue moderate watering while leaves remain active.

• Allow foliage to yellow naturally.

• Reduce watering once dormancy begins.

Healthy leaves are important because they help replenish the bulb for its next flowering cycle.

Dormancy

Dormancy is a normal part of the Lycoris growth cycle.

During summer dormancy:

The plant may completely disappear above the soil.

This does not necessarily mean that the bulb has died.

Avoid repeatedly digging up dormant bulbs to check them.

Avoid Frequent Disturbance

Lycoris bulbs generally perform better once established.

Avoid unnecessary lifting, dividing or transplanting every season.

Allow established bulbs to remain undisturbed so they can:

• Develop stronger root systems

• Store energy

• Produce offsets

• Gradually form attractive flowering clumps

Growing in GREEN GARDENS G-12 Grow Bag

For container growing:

1. Fill the G-12 with well-draining potting mix.

2. Plant approximately 1–2 Lycoris White bulbs.

3. Keep adequate space between the bulbs.

4. Position the bulb neck near soil level.

5. Water thoroughly after planting.

6. Place the grow bag in a bright location.

7. Keep the soil moderately moist during active growth.

8. Avoid waterlogging.

9. Reduce watering during dormancy.

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Suitable Uses

Lycoris White is ideal for:

• Home gardens

• Flower beds

• Garden borders

• Pathway planting

• Courtyards

• Rooftop gardens

• Patios

• Pots

• Grow bags

• Rock gardens

• Ornamental bulb displays

• Naturalised planting

• Combination planting

Combination Planting with Red Lycoris

One of the most attractive ways to grow White Lycoris is in combination with:

Red Spider Lily – Lycoris radiata

The combination creates a dramatic contrast between:

Creamy White + Brilliant Crimson Red

For a natural landscape effect, plant the bulbs in informal clusters or alternating groups rather than straight rows.

This combination is particularly attractive in:

• Flower beds

• Borders

• Pathways

• Rock gardens

• Larger ornamental containers

Why Grow Lycoris White?

White Lycoris offers an elegant flower form that is very different from conventional lilies.

Its distinctive combination of:

Creamy-white flowers + recurved petals + exceptionally long stamens + tall leafless flowering stalks

creates a sophisticated ornamental effect.

It can be especially attractive when planted beside Red Lycoris, where the contrasting flower colours highlight both varieties.

Important Safety Information

Lycoris White is an ornamental plant and should not be eaten.

Lycoris bulbs and other plant parts contain naturally occurring alkaloids.

Keep bulbs away from:

• Small children

• Pets

• Food preparation areas

• Locations where bulbs might be mistaken for edible plants

For ornamental gardening use only.

Common Growing Problems

Bulb Rot

Possible causes include:

• Excessive watering

• Poor drainage

• Heavy compact soil

• Permanently wet conditions

Solution

Improve drainage and reduce watering.

Leaves Grow but No Flowers Appear

Possible reasons include:

• Bulb still establishing

• Insufficient sunlight

• Bulb planted too deeply

• Recent transplanting

• Excessive nitrogen fertilizer

• Immature bulb

• Seasonal weather differences

Allow established bulbs time and avoid repeatedly disturbing them.

No Visible Growth During Summer

This can simply indicate:

Natural summer dormancy

Reduce watering and wait for the next seasonal growth cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the botanical name?

Lycoris albiflora

What colour are the flowers?

Flowers are generally:

Creamy white to ivory white

with delicate long stamens and small yellow-golden anthers.

When should Lycoris White be planted in Pakistan?

For Lahore and the plains of Pakistan:

September–November

When does it flower?

Established plants generally flower:

Late Summer to Early Autumn

Is Lycoris White perennial?

Yes.

It is a perennial bulb capable of returning for many years under suitable conditions.

Does it produce flowers before leaves?

Lycoris typically flowers on mostly leafless stems.

The strap-like foliage develops after flowering and remains active during the cooler season.

Can it grow in a G-12 Grow Bag?

Yes.

The GREEN GARDENS G-12 Grow Bag is suitable for approximately 1–2 bulbs.

Can White and Red Lycoris be planted together?

Yes.

Lycoris albiflora + Lycoris radiata can make a beautiful contrasting white-and-red flower-bed display.

Should the bulb be planted deeply?

No.

Keep the bulb's upper neck near or slightly above soil level rather than deeply burying it.

Is Lycoris White edible?

No.

It is an ornamental flowering bulb and should not be consumed.

Related GREEN GARDENS Products

GREEN GARDENS G-12 Grow Bag

12 × 12 Inch | 6 Gallon | 300 GSM

Recommended for growing 1–2 Lycoris bulbs in containers.

View G-12 Grow Bag 🔗

GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost 5kg

Suitable for pots, grow bags and small garden areas.

View Vermicompost 5kg 🔗

GREEN GARDENS Vermicompost 25kg

Suitable for flower beds, larger gardens and multiple grow bags.

View Vermicompost 25kg 🔗

Product Details

Product: White Spider Lily Bulb
Botanical Name: Lycoris albiflora
Common Name: White Spider Lily
Pack Size: Single Bulb
Flower Colour: Creamy White / Ivory White
Plant Type: Perennial Flowering Bulb
Best Planting Season: September–November
Flowering Season: Late Summer–Early Autumn
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Requirement: Moderate
Recommended Grow Bag: GREEN GARDENS G-12
Recommended Quantity per G-12: 1–2 Bulbs
Suitable For: Pots, Grow Bags, Flower Beds, Borders & Pathways
Edible: No – Ornamental Use Only