Cunningham's Lily Plant Care
Proiphys cunninghamii (Lindl.) Mabb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Proiphys cunninghamii, the Moreton Bay lily, is a species of herb with a bulb to 5 cm in diameter. The habitat is rainforest and their margins, in eastern Australia.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Cunningham's Lily?
Water Cunningham's Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Cunningham's Lily?
Cunningham's Lily (Proiphys cunninghamii) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Proiphys genus. Cunningham's Lily is also known as Spider Lily.
Cunningham's Lily displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Cunningham's Lily produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Cunningham's Lily?
Proiphys cunninghamii 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 Cunningham's Lily Need?
Cunningham's Lily thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Cunningham's Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cunningham's Lily Prefer?
Proiphys cunninghamii grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Cunningham's Lily prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cunningham's Lily?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Cunningham's Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cunningham's Lily?
Feed Cunningham's 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 Cunningham's 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 Cunningham's Lily?
Cunningham's Lily can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to amboina lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Cunningham's Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cunningham's Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Cunningham's Lily?
Cunningham's Lily is susceptible to aphids, thrips, spider mites. 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 Cunningham's Lily Need?
Cunningham's Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Cunningham's Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Cunningham's 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 Proiphys genus — compare its care with other Proiphys species on PlantoScan.
Proiphys is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Cunningham's Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Proiphys cunninghamii (Lindl.) Mabb., family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Taxon 29: 601 (1980)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cunningham's Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. 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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