Sharpleaf Spiderlily Plant Care
Hymenocallis acutifolia (Herb.) Sweet
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hymenocallis acutifolia is a plant species first described in 1826 with the name Hymenocallis littoralis var. acutifolia.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Sharpleaf Spiderlily?
Water Sharpleaf Spiderlily 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 50–85°F (10–29°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.
Where Is the Sharpleaf Spiderlily Native To?
What Is the Sharpleaf Spiderlily?
Sharpleaf Spiderlily (Hymenocallis acutifolia) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Hymenocallis genus. Sharpleaf Spiderlily is native to Mexico, known from the States of Oaxaca, Michoacán, Jalisco, Veracruz, Puebla, and Nayarit.
Sharpleaf Spiderlily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Sharpleaf Spiderlily produces white, fragrant flowers with long trumpet-shaped petals.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sharpleaf Spiderlily?
Hymenocallis acutifolia 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 Sharpleaf Spiderlily Need?
Sharpleaf Spiderlily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sharpleaf Spiderlily Prefer?
Hymenocallis acutifolia grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Sharpleaf Spiderlily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sharpleaf Spiderlily?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sharpleaf Spiderlily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sharpleaf Spiderlily?
Feed Sharpleaf Spiderlily 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 Sharpleaf Spiderlily?
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 Sharpleaf Spiderlily?
Sharpleaf Spiderlily can be propagated through division of bulbs, offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spider lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sharpleaf Spiderlily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to cats and dogs, can cause skin irritation in humans
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 Sharpleaf Spiderlily?
Sharpleaf Spiderlily 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 Sharpleaf Spiderlily Need?
Sharpleaf Spiderlily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Sharpleaf Spiderlily is native to Mexico, known from the States of Oaxaca, Michoacán, Jalisco, Veracruz, Puebla, and Nayarit. In cooler regions, grow Sharpleaf Spiderlily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Sharpleaf Spiderlily 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 Hymenocallis genus — compare its care with other Hymenocallis species on PlantoScan.
Hymenocallis is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Sharpleaf Spiderlily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Hymenocallis Species
Other Hymenocallis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hymenocallis acutifolia (Herb.) Sweet, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Hort. Brit. , ed. 2: 513 (1830)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Sharpleaf Spiderlily 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 12a, 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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