Crinum asiaticum var. sinicum

RHS Plant Profile
St John's lily

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Synonyms

Crinum pedunculatum misapplied

Bulbs Conservatory Greenhouse

A deciduous, tender, bulbous perennial, with broad, glossy, semi-erect leaves to 1m long. In summer it produces umbels of fragrant, spidery white flowers with slender petals

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Crinum are bulbous perennials, sometimes evergreen, with umbels of showy, fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers held well above the strap-shaped leaves
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China, Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant under glass in spring, with the neck of the bulb just below soil level. Use peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added sharp sand and well-rotted manure and position in full or bright filtered light. Water freely when in growth; keep moist after flowering. Pot on only when absolutely necessary, in early spring

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or remove offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free but young growth may be susceptible to

Diseases

Generally disease-free