Lycoris Species, Magic Lily, Naked Lady, Resurrection Lily, Surprise Lily

Lycoris squamigera

Family
Amaryllidaceae (am-uh-ril-id-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Lycoris (LY-kor-iss)
Species
squamigera (skwam-EE-ger-uh)
Synonym
Amaryllis hallii
Hippeastrum squamigerum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Pink
Magenta (pink-purple)
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Bulbs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Decatur, Alabama

Gadsden, Alabama

Madison, Alabama

Midland City, Alabama

Wetumpka, Alabama

Bullhead City, Arizona

Arkadelphia, Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Jasper, Arkansas

Searcy, Arkansas

August, California

Ben Lomond, California

Canoga Park, California

Carmichael, California

El Macero, California

El Portal, California

Hercules, California

Livermore, California

Los Angeles, California

Manhattan Beach, California

Oroville East, California

Perris, California

San Diego, California

San Jose, California

Santa Paula, California

Santa Rosa, California

South Oroville, California

West Sacramento, California

Whittier, California

Woodland, California

Berthoud, Colorado

Clifton, Colorado

Denver, Colorado

Sterling, Colorado

Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Westport, Connecticut

Wilmington, Delaware

Fountain, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Niceville, Florida

Cleveland, Georgia

Screven, Georgia

Kula, Hawaii

Antioch, Illinois

Collinsville, Illinois

Des Plaines, Illinois

Divernon, Illinois

Frankfort, Illinois

Grayslake, Illinois

Mokena, Illinois

Monticello, Illinois

Mount Olive, Illinois

Normal, Illinois

Tinley Park, Illinois

Tuscola, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Williamsville, Illinois

Winnetka, Illinois

Bloomington, Indiana

Chesterton, Indiana

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Gosport, Indiana

Greensburg, Indiana

Peru, Indiana

Spencer, Indiana

Brooklyn, Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa(2 reports)

Osceola, Iowa

Abilene, Kansas

Derby, Kansas

Lane, Kansas

Lindsborg, Kansas

Rolla, Kansas

Shawnee Mission, Kansas

Tonganoxie, Kansas

Barbourville, Kentucky

Eubank, Kentucky

Fort Thomas, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky(2 reports)

Mount Sterling, Kentucky

Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Taylorsville, Kentucky

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Zachary, Louisiana

Arnold, Maryland

Hagerstown, Maryland

Pikesville, Maryland

Roslindale, Massachusetts

Wayland, Massachusetts

Blanchard, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Harbor Beach, Michigan

Scottville, Michigan

Three Rivers, Michigan

Alden, Minnesota

Chisago City, Minnesota

Lewisville, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Preston, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota(2 reports)

Byhalia, Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi

Marietta, Mississippi

Archie, Missouri

Ballwin, Missouri

Brunswick, Missouri

Columbia, Missouri

Elsberry, Missouri

Galena, Missouri

Grandview, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri

Maryland Heights, Missouri

Piedmont, Missouri

Saint Joseph, Missouri

Saint Louis, Missouri

Stoutland, Missouri

Laurel, Montana

Burchard, Nebraska

Friend, Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska

Springfield, Nebraska

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Roswell, New Mexico

Elmira, New York

Medina, New York

Concord, North Carolina

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Amesville, Ohio

Barberton, Ohio

Bucyrus, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio(2 reports)

Columbus, Ohio(2 reports)

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Defiance, Ohio

Fairborn, Ohio

Fort Jennings, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Hamilton, Ohio

Ironton, Ohio

Sandusky, Ohio

Zanesville, Ohio

Ardmore, Oklahoma

Enid, Oklahoma

Hugo, Oklahoma

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Indianola, Oklahoma

Salina, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Yukon, Oklahoma(2 reports)

Oregon City, Oregon

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Butler, Pennsylvania

Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Greencastle, Pennsylvania

Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

Conway, South Carolina

Wentworth, South Dakota

Brighton, Tennessee

Clarksville, Tennessee

Cordova, Tennessee

Hollow Rock, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Memphis, Tennessee

Middleton, Tennessee

Millington, Tennessee

Moscow, Tennessee

Austin, Texas

Colleyville, Texas

Coppell, Texas

Corpus Christi, Texas

Fate, Texas

Kilgore, Texas

Mcallen, Texas

Nevada, Texas

Richmond, Texas

Arlington, Virginia

Big Stone Gap, Virginia

Bristol, Virginia

Jonesville, Virginia

Lovettsville, Virginia

Newport News, Virginia

Reston, Virginia

Winchester, Virginia

Quilcene, Washington

Great Cacapon, West Virginia

Morgantown, West Virginia

Vienna, West Virginia

Altoona, Wisconsin

Dodgeville, Wisconsin

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Ellsworth, Wisconsin

Elroy, Wisconsin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sheridan, Wyoming

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

38
positives
5
neutrals
0
negative
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L
Oregon City, OR | September 2022 | positive

We moved to a new house in May, never watered the lawn (doing extensive landscaping changes) and in August this single pink lily magicall...Read More

A
A
Alden, MN | August 2019 | positive

I bought a house in southern MN 17 years ago. The first year I discovered the Surprise lilies in the flower bed, and some came up in the ...Read More

D
Norman, OK | May 2019 | neutral

I'm in zone 7. Last year, I received about 40 Naked Ladies from a lady who said she thins hers out every few years because they multiply ...Read More

G
Screven, GA | April 2019 | positive

Finally I am glad to discover "naked ladies" have other names ! My dear mom-in-law loved them and would direct us to see them in her area...Read More

S
S
Lakeville, MN | August 2017 | positive

I live in Lakeville Minnesota (zone 4) and received this bulb over 8 years ago in a package of Peruvian Daffodils. I didn't get a peruvia...Read More

B
Old Saybrook, CT | April 2017 | positive

So my naked ladies greens are coming up in the various gardens. These flowers look so much better in a mass, and I unfortunately planted...Read More

H
H
Brooklyn, IA | September 2016 | positive

I was given a surprise lily by a friend and was told to plant it in shade or partial shade. I now have many plants in this location and s...Read More

R
R
Laurel, MT | August 2016 | positive

Billings, Montana area, zone 4... it surprised me, all right. House sat empty and neglected for 3 years before we got it, so it dates bac...Read More

D
Cuyahoga Falls, OH | June 2016 | positive

I just came across this article and am happy I finally know what this beautiful flower is!

As I was tidying up my spent da...Read More

W
Los Angeles, CA | May 2015 | positive

Good morning.
I live in Los Angeles and I have purchased a clump of bulbs from a local house sale.
In mid summer the long s...Read More

D
St Joseph, MO | August 2014 | positive

If you dig up an old stand, the bulbs will be from 4 - 6 inches deep in Zone 5. Not on the surface and not partially exposed. The bulbs...Read More

W
Magna, UT (Zone 7a) | August 2014 | positive

Received mine in June and I had 2 bloom in August. One even has seed pods on it. With all the comments requesting patience for Lycoris ...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | January 2014 | neutral

These do not like disturbance. If overcrowded, they're best divided in June when the foliage dies down, and replanted immediately without...Read More

K
Jasper, AR | August 2013 | positive

I planted these March 2013 and pretty much forgot about them.

August 1 I found them popped up, and opening... very prett...Read More

K
West Sacramento, CA | July 2013 | positive

The funny thing was that I bought bulbs from a store and the package must have been mislabeled. I planted what I thought were "other" bul...Read More

V
(Zone 8a) | July 2013 | positive

Surprise lily was most definitely a surprise for me. It took 8 years to bloom! I didn't give up on them b/c from the very first season...Read More

L
L
Roswell, NM | March 2013 | positive

Like so many others, I was unfamiliar with this plant but was pleasantly surprised when it came up "out of nowhere". We had only been in ...Read More

E
Minneapolis, MN | April 2011 | positive

Surprise lily grows in the courtyard at the University of Minnesota Biological Sciences Greenhouse. I haven't been around in late summer ...Read More

D
Medina, NY | April 2011 | positive

A friend from a Church in Monticello, Illinois gave me over 100 bulbs to plant in Medina, NY. I gave some to my siblings and the rest we...Read More

B
B
Altoona, WI | August 2010 | positive

When I moved to Wisconsin several years ago, I was saddened when I learned that "Naked Ladies" were not supposed to be hardy in zone 4a. ...Read More

N
Arkadelphia, AR | July 2010 | positive

This plant truly lives up to its name of "Surprise Lily"! Late in the summer it appears and year time I see it I am totally surprised. ...Read More

H
Pottstown, PA | May 2010 | positive

My daughter found a pile of them about 4 yrs. ago. washed up against a tree in the woods on the other side of our creek, the Manatawny in...Read More

H
Kula, HI | October 2009 | positive

What.can.be.done.w/the.red.colored.seeds.that.are.produced.after.the.
flowering.stage?
Can.they.be.placed.in.the.ground.to....Read More

P
Winnetka, IL | April 2009 | positive

Patience!!

Okay- the billionth note on this plant (quite the hot topic!). I have planted this bulb in two different gard...Read More

M
Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | December 2008 | positive

As of currently, it hadn't bloom for me for four or five years - and to add a note, the other genus that also contain the name surprise l...Read More

J
Des Moines, IA | August 2008 | positive

I received about 8 bulbs from a neighbor many years ago as we were getting ready to move, so I planted them at our new house in a corner ...Read More

M
Chesterton, IN | September 2007 | positive

My residence in the hamlet of Furnessville in the Indiana Dunes has hundreds of these Surprise lilies and thriving in several areas and f...Read More

A
A
Eau Claire, WI (Zone 4a) | April 2007 | neutral

We have lived in this house since June of 2000. Every spring these leaves have come up on the southwest side of the house and died back. ...Read More

D
Elroy, WI | August 2006 | positive

I live in zone 4 in westcentral Wisconsin. We get REALLY cold winters, and I have had this plant for about 20 years. Some years we get ...Read More

J
Woodland, CA | April 2006 | positive

What a surprise when my husband and I moved into our 40-year-old "new" house and found these (at the time unknown to us) beautiful, slend...Read More

K
K
Bullhead City, AZ | February 2006 | positive

I grow them in large pots and keep them out of the direct sunlight. One stem in August had 8 flowers

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | positive

It's always nice to have a beautiful flower appear in a hot, dry period of summer. They come back faithfully year after year, and ask fo...Read More

C
Perris, CA (Zone 9a) | January 2005 | positive

These plants have beautiful foilage and flowers. They grow on top of the soil in Perris. We brought two bulbs from San Fernando Valley...Read More

M
Lindsborg, KS | August 2004 | neutral

The durn things grow when & where they want. But I wouldn't be without them. They grow all over here in and arround Lindsborg, Ks. Jus...Read More

C
Charlottesville, VA | August 2004 | positive

This plant is an old timer in the Shenandoah Valley and central piedmont area of Virginia. You can find it around old abandoned houses a...Read More

S
Sterling, CO | August 2004 | positive

A friend had these growing in her back yard, they were going to plow them under... so I took all I could dig... hundreds of bulbs! I pla...Read More

O
Fairborn, OH | August 2004 | positive

I first ran into "naked lady lilies" in CA on a trip in Aug 2002 and fell in love with the color and way they grew. I've since received ...Read More

J
Scottville, MI (Zone 4b) | June 2004 | positive

I have to remember to fertilize in the spring when the foliage is showing in order to get them to bloom in my poor sandy soil, but it's worth it.

M
| March 2004 | positive

I moved into a house that already had these planted. I didn't know what they were until late summer. What a pleasant surprise when I sa...Read More

T
Normal, IL | September 2003 | positive

Dug some clumps of bulbs from my mother-in-law's and stuck them in the ground at home. They've been doing well for 6 years, now. They g...Read More

T
Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) | July 2003 | positive

These bulbs should only be divided when absolutely necessary because they sulk and sometimes don't bloom the next year. Lift the bulbs wh...Read More

B
Godfrey, IL (Zone 6a) | May 2003 | positive

I think mine were planted about 6 in. deep here in zone 6 in Illinois. I planted them behind my smaller bushes and some inback of my fo...Read More

G
Chantilly, VA (Zone 6b) | February 2003 | neutral

I have seen these bulbs bloom where thrown out on top of the soil - in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. In California's coastal climate,...Read More

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