It is also called “the rain lily” because, often, it blooms in the rainy period that follows one of long drought. Originally from Argentina, Zephyranthes is a bulbous that can even reach 30 cm. tall and that produces colorful flowers, depending on the species of belonging.

It is a plant that grows lush and spontaneous in many areas of South America, especially if very humid. It is a bulbolsa: it means that its leaves are born directly from the bulb, which is also the reproductive part. There are at least 70 species of Zephyranthes, which are distinguished by the color of the flowers, the size and the physiological characteristics: some species, for example, smell only at night. The Zephyranthes is an upright plant, with bright green leaves and white, pink, yellow or purple flowers. It is an ornamental plant, which needs a lot of water but which adapts to outdoor life, also withstanding the cold temperatures, as long as they remain above zero. Among the most known and interesting species, some examples are:

1. Zephyranthes Candida: it is distinguished by its five-petaled, thin and silky white flowers, embellished with large gold-colored stamens
2. Zephyranthes Rosea: which produces flowers of an intense pink color, almost fuchsia, in the shape of a funnel
3. Zephyranthes Citrina: which makes small, bright yellow flowers bloom. It is more sensitive to cold than other species, because it originates from the tropical areas of South America

Cultivate the Zephyranthes

The Zephyrantes is a rather resistant plant, easy to grow even by beginners or by those who approach the hobby of gardening without still having great experience. Being a bulbous, just buy the bulbs, to be planted in the spring. April is the ideal month to bury the Zephyranthes bulbs. The best way to ensure their luxuriant growth is to plant them indoors, in pots, using a good quality universal soil. Towards the end of May, if desired, they can be moved outdoors, possibly in a place where they can receive direct sunlight. The Zephyranthes, to flourish, needs a lot of water.
When the seedling has risen, it is necessary to wet it every day, abundantly. The bulbs can also be recovered from adult plants, to reproduce them. This operation should preferably be done in late autumn, towards the beginning of December, when the life cycle of the Zephyranthes is less lively. Also in this case it must be buried in the house and decanted out only in late spring.

Main Zephyranthes’ diseases and remedies

Zephyranthes is a strong and resistant plant. There are no specific diseases of his. It is also little subject to contract pests. However, in periods or prolonged situations of high humidity, it can become ill with gray mold. It is a disease that causes the leaves and petals to rot and, if left untreated or prevented, can kill the plant. To avoid this, just take some caution:

1. always water in the morning, so that the soil moisture has all day to evaporate, thanks to the sun
2. plant the bulbs at a distance from each other, at least 20-25 cm., To guarantee everyone the right air circulation
3. watering generously but without exceeding

If, in spite of everything, the Zephyranthes plant should contract the gray mold, you can intervene by administering to the ground the Bordeaux mixture, which is purchased at all the gardening shops and florists. The treatment, very effective, must be repeated regularly every 10 days, until the problem is solved.

Curiosities

Il suo nome significa “vento dell’ovest”, che è quello che provoca le piogge. Simbolicamente, è un fiore augurale di novità e di abbondanza, di recupero dopo un periodo di siccità, difficile. Una bella pianta, con un messaggio positivo, da regalare a qualcuno in convalescenza o che ha raggiunto un successo dopo un momento di difficoltà.