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Native Plant Society of Texas

Swamp Lily

Crinum americanum

Other common name(s):

American Crinum Lily, Seven Sisters, Southern Swamp Lily, String Lily, Crinum Lily

Family:

Amaryllidaceae (Daffodil Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Wetland

Height

2
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Calcareous, Rich, Poor Drainage, Moist, Mud

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Will bloom in deep shade. Does best in water gardens, bogs or ponds, but does well once established in a moist garden soils. Freezes back to water level in winter, but greens up again immediately. Provides good cut flowers. Native habitat: freshwater marshes; cypress swamps, ditches, and lake edges. Propagation: seed, division, bulb, stolen.

Comments

Blooms June-November. Erect plants that grow in small clumps. The long, narrow leaves grow directly from the bulb. Two to six flowers form a showy umbel at the top of the stem. The fragrant flowers are white, sometimes marked with pink. The sepals are 3-4 inches long, joined at the base, forming a long tube. The fruit is a capsule.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Crinum floridanum, Crinum strictum, Crinum strictum var. traubii

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Bulb Division It may take a few years for the plants to reflower when planted from offshoot bulbs; plant divisions will bloom more quickly. The plants are easy to divide. Crinums are best divided in the winter when they are not actively growing, or dig around the clump, lift it, and then remove offshoot bulbs. Just be careful; some crinum bulbs can weigh up to 20 pounds! crinum roots do not like to be disturbed and once disturbed plants may not bloom for another 2-3 years. 1) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/crinums/# 2) https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275728&isprofile=1&gen=Crinum
Seed No Treatment The seed should be planted while fresh. Lightly cover the seeds outside with mulch. If indoors, plant seeds on the surface of fresh potting soil. Put the pot and all inside a clear plastic bag and put it in a cool room with bright light. Each seed pod should have 4 -5 seeds inside. https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/in-the-garden/reference-desk/bulbs/crinum-lily.aspx#

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason