Crinum Lily

Crinum L.

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Bulb
Perennial
Fragrant
Tolerates Wet Roots

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Toxic to pets

Hazardous parts

flowers, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems

Preparation

Not a food plant; no preparation guidance is given. The RHS advises wearing gloves and protective equipment when handling Crinum x powellii bulbs; NC State lists Causes Contact Dermatitis: No for Crinum americanum.

Hazard type

alkaloids; if swallowed, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea (severity listed as Low for Crinum americanum); UF/IFAS says crinums can cause poisoning if consumed

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

Treat every Crinum as toxic to dogs and cats. UF/IFAS says crinums contain toxic alkaloids that can cause poisoning if consumed; NC State flags Crinum americanum as a problem for cats, dogs and children; the RHS says the bulbs are not to be eaten by pets. The sources do not list animal-specific signs. UF/IFAS publication FP155 makes no toxicity statement, which is silence rather than disagreement. ASPCA's Amaryllis page covers a different genus and does not describe Crinum.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 8B-11 for crinum lilies in general (UF/IFAS FP155); 8a-11b for Crinum americanum (NC State); RHS hardiness H5 for Crinum x powellii (may need frost protection in colder areas)
Light: Part shade to full sun
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: 3-5 ft tall and 3-5 ft wide (UF/IFAS FP155, whole-genus). UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: from about 13 in to 6 ft by species. Crinum americanum: 2-3 ft tall, 1-2 ft wide (NC State). Crinum x powellii: 1-1.5 m tall (RHS). Clemson: 24-48 in. Spacing: UF/IFAS FP155: 36 to 60 inches in its table, and four to six feet apart in mass plantings. Neck at soil level (UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions); RHS: keep the bulb neck just above the soil.
Where it comes from: Crinum americanum is native to the southeastern US (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas), the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and parts of Mexico (NC State). UF/IFAS (FP155) says the cultivated crinum lilies it covers are not native to North America. The genus has about 130 species (UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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