Western Spider Lily Plant Care
Hymenocallis occidentalis (Leconte) Kunth
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hymenocallis occidentalis is a plant species native to the southern United States. It is known along the Gulf Coast from South Carolina to Texas, and in the Mississippi Valley as far north as southern Illinois and Indiana.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Western Spider Lily?
Water Western Spider Lily 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 Western Spider Lily Native To?
What Is the Western Spider Lily?
Western Spider Lily (Hymenocallis occidentalis) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Hymenocallis genus. Western Spider Lily is native to the southern United States. Western Spider Lily is also known as Southern Swamp Lily.
Western Spider Lily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Western Spider Lily produces white, fragrant flowers with long trumpet-shaped petals.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Western Spider Lily?
Hymenocallis occidentalis 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 Western Spider Lily Need?
Western Spider Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Western Spider Lily Prefer?
Hymenocallis occidentalis grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Western Spider Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Western Spider Lily?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Western Spider Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Western Spider Lily?
Feed Western Spider Lily 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 Western Spider Lily?
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 Western Spider Lily?
Western Spider Lily 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 Western Spider Lily 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 Western Spider Lily?
Western Spider Lily 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 Western Spider Lily Need?
Western Spider Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Western Spider Lily is native to the southern United States. In cooler regions, grow Western Spider Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Western Spider Lily 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.
Western Spider Lily 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 occidentalis (Leconte) Kunth, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Enum. Pl. 5: 856 (1850)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Western Spider Lily 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Western Spider Lily Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species