Zephyranthes citrina

Zephyranthes citrina, also known as the Rain Lily or Yellow Zephyr Lily, is a small radiant and poetic bulbous plant, whose summer flowering resembles yellow crocuses. After each rainy period, its grassy foliage lights up with small lemon yellow flowers, like ephemeral stars. It is best grown in open ground in coastal gardens which are less prone to frost, where it will naturalize in rockeries and sunny borders. Elsewhere, it can be grown in pots, which will protect it from cold and excessive humidity in winter.

Zephyranthes citrina belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family. It is a botanical species native to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, where it is found in flooded meadows. It is a small herbaceous and deciduous plant, perennial through its bulb. Its foliage consists of linear leaves, 4 mm (0in) wide, grouped in small tufts. It spreads slowly through vegetative multiplication thanks to the formation of numerous bulblets. It flowers in June-July, with successive waves of blooms after each rain. From the foliage emerge upright flower stems, 15cm (6in) above the ground, bearing funnel-shaped flowers measuring 3-5cm (1-2in) in length. The foliage, deciduous, disappears after flowering.

The resplendent flowering of Zephyranthes citrina often occurs when the clumps are well established. In favorable climates, you can plant the bulbs in small groups in rockeries or along a pathway, if the soil remains sufficiently cool in summer. It also thrives in pots, in a cool greenhouse. It is essential to grow Zephyranthes citrina in pots in regions with harsh winters, in order to protect it from frost.