Rain lily

Zephyranthes Herb.

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Bulb
Perennial
Pollinator Plant
Butterfly Friendly

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Flowers, Leaves, Roots, Stems

Preparation

Not a food plant; no preparation guidance is given.

Hazard type

poisonous if eaten: digestive signs of vomiting and diarrhea if the bulbs are eaten (NC State)

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

No ASPCA entry found.

No ASPCA verdict exists for the genus, so the pet verdict is 'not listed'. NC State tags the genus as poisonous to humans (it gives no pet statement). ASPCA's page for one species, prairie lily (Zephyranthes drummondii), says non-toxic to dogs and cats; that covers only that species and does not clear the genus. Treat the genus as unassessed for pets.

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.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 7a-10b (NC State: listed as hardy in zones 7-10, some may tolerate colder)
Light: NC State: full sun (6+ hours) to partial shade (2-6 hours). Clemson: partial shade.
Water needs: Plenty of water while growing (Clemson); well-drained soil (NC State)
Mature size: Height 6 to 12 inches, width 6 to 12 inches (NC State). Clemson gives 6 to 9 inches tall.
Where it comes from: Southern North America south to Central and South America; NC State also lists Southern USA, Mexico and South America, with distribution on the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain. Over 70 species plus hybrids and cultivars.

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.

Get the app: coming soon

Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Sources

How we choose sources

Add to wishlist