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Native Plant Society of Texas

Prairie Lily

Zephyranthes drummondii

Other common name(s):

Hill Country Rain Lily, Rain Lily, Flor De Mayo, Spring Rain 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.

East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies
Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

.5
to
1
ft.

Spread

.10
to
.25
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Caliche, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Very low maintenance. Tends to have a main spring bloom season after significant rains trigger blooming with sporadic blooms that may occur over the rest of the growing season. Works well in flower beds, meadows, and pots, these rain lilies grow easily from bulbs and they can be mowed. Plant 8 inches deep for more flowers. Plant 4 inch/shallow to increase the bulbs. The flowers will last a little longer in shade Native habitat: prairies and open woodlands. Propagation: seed, bulb division.

Comments

Blooms March-August. Bulbs produce blue-green grass like leaves. Slightly fragrant, 6-petaled flower, evolve over two days from white to silky light pink. The fruit is a 3-lobed capsule with many seeds.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Cooperia pedunculata

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=523633#null, 2) https://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=783&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Zephyranthes+drummondii&formsubmit=Search+Terms 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COPE 5) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/zephyranthes-drummondii/#:~:text=Attributes:%20Genus:%20Zephyranthes%20Species:,Medium%20Maintenance:%20Low%20Texture:%20Fine 6) https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Zephyranthes_drummondii.html#:~:text=Rain%20lily%20%2D%20Zephyranthes%20drummondii%20(Care,%2C%20Characteristics%2C%20Flower%2C%20Images)&text=Rain%20lily%20(Zephyranthes%20drummondii)%20is,and%20attract%20bees%20and%20butterflies.&text=Monocotyledons-,Snap%20a%20photo%20for%20instant%20plant%20ID%2C%20gaining%20quick%20insights,uses%2C%20and%20symbolism%2C%20etc. 7) https://plantlust.com/plants/20842/zephyranthes-drummondii/

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Seed is not viable for too long after collection. Do not store long before planting. Collect seed several weeks after strong rains mainly in spring when they are near dry stage. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COPE 2) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/zephyranthes-drummondii/#:~:text=Attributes:%20Genus:%20Zephyranthes%20Species:,Medium%20Maintenance:%20Low%20Texture:%20Fine
Bulb Division Ensure each division has a root system and replant immediately in well-draining soil with adequate sunlight. Regular, careful watering supports healthy growth for vibrant blooms. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COPE 2) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/zephyranthes-drummondii/#:~:text=Attributes:%20Genus:%20Zephyranthes%20Species:,Medium%20Maintenance:%20Low%20Texture:%20Fine 3) https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Zephyranthes_drummondii.html#:~:text=Rain%20lily%20%2D%20Zephyranthes%20drummondii%20(Care,%2C%20Characteristics%2C%20Flower%2C%20Images)&text=Rain%20lily%20(Zephyranthes%20drummondii)%20is,and%20attract%20bees%20and%20butterflies.&text=Monocotyledons-,Snap%20a%20photo%20for%20instant%20plant%20ID%2C%20gaining%20quick%20insights,uses%2C%20and%20symbolism%2C%20etc.

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