Swamp Lily
Crinum americanum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Crinum americanum, the swamp lily, grows in wet ditches, marshes and pond edges across the Gulf Coast and Southeast, blooming with fragrant white flowers from June through November.
Toxicity unknown
Swamp Lily (Crinum americanum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AL, FL, GA, LA and 3 more states
Pollinators
butterflies, bees, moths
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Swamp Lily produces clusters of fragrant white trumpet-shaped flowers on tall stems above strappy evergreen leaves. This bulbous perennial blooms reliably from summer through fall and thrives in moist conditions. The foliage forms neat clumps that provide year-round structure in the landscape.
Growing Swamp Lily
Grow Swamp Lily in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Swamp Lily is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The fragrant blooms attract butterflies, bees, and night-flying moths throughout its extended blooming season. The nectar-rich flowers are particularly valuable for pollinators during the hot summer months when fewer plants are flowering.
Common questions
- When does swamp lily bloom?
- Crinum americanum typically flowers from June through November, with fragrant white blooms opening in the evening and lasting into the next day.
- What pollinators visit Crinum americanum?
- Its blooms attract butterflies, bees and moths, with night flying moths drawn to the flower's fragrance after dusk.
- How much water does swamp lily need?
- This plant is suited to consistently moist to wet soil and grows naturally along ditches, pond margins and swampy ground, so regular watering is important if soil is not already saturated.
- What light conditions suit Crinum americanum best?
- It performs well in part sun to part shade and can also handle full sun where soil stays reliably moist.
- Is Swamp Lily HOA-friendly?
- Swamp Lily is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Swamp Lily? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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