Instructions for Planting a Red Spider Lily

A showy autumn bloomer, the red spider lily or Lycoris radiata is an Asian native that also thrives in the U.S. when planted in a warm climate. This bulb-grown perennial produces 24-inch stalks adorned with clusters of bright red flowers that are spider-like in appearance. Healthy flowers measure approximately 8 inches in length, making them a real showstopper in the fall landscape. If you are considering planting a red spider lily in your landscape, choose a sunny patch of well-drained soil.

Garden fork
Soil testing kit
Garden hose or soaker

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the soil for spring planting as soon as the ground thaws. Loosen the soil with a garden fork to a 12-inch depth. Test the soil to determine the pH. Red spider lilies appreciate soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
- 2
  Mix lime in with the broken soil before planting if the pH is below 5.5 or mix peat moss in with the soil for a pH above 7.5. Follow the manufacturer's directions on the packaging when determining allocation amounts and application methods.
- 3
  Dig a hole for your red spider lily bulb with a garden trowel. The depth of the hole you prepare should measure twice the width of the bulb itself. For instance, if your red spider lily bulb is 1 inch in wide, dig your hole 2 inches deep. If planting more than one bulb, space each hole approximately 2 inches apart.
- 4
  Set the red spider lily bulb in the bottom of the hole. Cover the hole with soil and pat it to remove air pockets. Water the soil generously after planting using a garden hose or soaker, moistening it to a depth of 1 inch.
- 5
  Keep your soil moist at all times, performing supplemental waterings in lieu of rain. Do not allow the soil to dry out at any time after planting. Bulbs will begin to emerge in the late summer.

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