Zephyranthes elegans Plant Care
Zephyranthes elegans Ravenna
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Zephyranthes elegans is a species of flowering plants in the Amaryllis family, subfamily Amaryllidoideae. It is native to Bolivia.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Zephyranthes elegans?
Plant Zephyranthes elegans in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 3–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Zephyranthes elegans Native To?
What Is the Zephyranthes elegans?
Zephyranthes elegans (Zephyranthes elegans) belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family within the Zephyranthes genus. Zephyranthes elegans is native to Bolivia.
Zephyranthes elegans displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Zephyranthes elegans produces showy funnel-shaped flowers in various colors like white, pink, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Zephyranthes elegans?
Water a young or newly planted Zephyranthes elegans every 3–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–7 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Zephyranthes elegans Need?
Zephyranthes elegans thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Zephyranthes elegans Prefer?
Zephyranthes elegans tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Zephyranthes elegans prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Zephyranthes elegans?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Zephyranthes elegans to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Zephyranthes elegans?
Feed Zephyranthes elegans every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Zephyranthes elegans?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Zephyranthes elegans is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Zephyranthes elegans?
Zephyranthes elegans can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Zephyranthes elegans?
Prune Zephyranthes elegans while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Zephyranthes elegans in Winter?
Zephyranthes elegans is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Zephyranthes elegans?
Zephyranthes elegans can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to atamasco lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Zephyranthes elegans Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Zephyranthes elegans, 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 Zephyranthes elegans?
Zephyranthes elegans 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 Zephyranthes elegans Need?
Zephyranthes elegans grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Zephyranthes elegans is native to Bolivia. In cooler regions, grow Zephyranthes elegans as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Zephyranthes elegans 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 Zephyranthes genus — compare its care with other Zephyranthes species on PlantoScan.
Zephyranthes is part of the Amaryllidaceae plant family — browse all Amaryllidaceae genera and species.
Zephyranthes elegans thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Zephyranthes Species
Other Zephyranthes species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Zephyranthes elegans Ravenna, family Amaryllidaceae (first published in Onira 3: 53 (1999)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Zephyranthes elegans, 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 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.
