Poison Bulb Plant Care
Crinum asiaticum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Crinum asiaticum, commonly known as poison bulb, giant crinum lily, grand crinum lily, or spider lily, is a plant species widely planted in many warmer regions as an ornamental. It is a bulb-forming perennial producing an umbel of large, showy flowers that are prized by gardeners.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Poison Bulb?
Water Poison Bulb every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Poison Bulb?
Poison Bulb (Crinum asiaticum) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Crinum genus. Poison Bulb is also known as Giant Crinum Lily, Spider Lily, Assyrian Crinum.
Poison Bulb displays a tall, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Poison Bulb produces fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Poison Bulb?
Crinum asiaticum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Poison Bulb Need?
Poison Bulb thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Poison Bulb Prefer?
Crinum asiaticum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Poison Bulb prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Poison Bulb?
Rich, well-draining soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Poison Bulb to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Poison Bulb?
Feed Poison Bulb every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Poison Bulb?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Poison Bulb?
Poison Bulb can be propagated through offsets, division of bulbs. Similar propagation techniques also apply to macowan's crinum lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Poison Bulb Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Poison Bulb?
Poison Bulb is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, thrips. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Poison Bulb Need?
Poison Bulb grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Poison Bulb as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Poison Bulb is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Crinum genus — compare its care with other Crinum species on PlantoScan.
Crinum is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Poison Bulb thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Crinum Species
Other Crinum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Crinum asiaticum L., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 292 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Poison Bulb is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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