Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-10 where plants may be grown outdoors year round in consistently moist, organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun. Plants generally need some winter protection in USDA Zone 7. Plants are not winter hardy to St. Louis where bulbs should be dug in fall and overwintered indoors. For the St. Louis climate, bulbs should be planted 2-3” deep in spring in full sun to light shade. Best performance is in full sun. After bloom, plants go dormant. In fall before first frost, dig, dry and store bulbs for winter in a cool, frost-free location in a medium such as peat or vermiculite that is given minimal moisture. Plants may also be grown in pots or containers which should be overwintered in cool, frost-free locations (50 degrees F.) with just enough moisture to keep the soils from totally drying out. Bulbs are small, and it is somewhat easier to move them inside in winter and outside again in spring if they are being grown in containers.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Zephyranthes candida, commonly called rain lily, is a bulbous perennial. In the wild, plants often burst into bloom immediately following periods of significant rain, hence the common name.
Genus name comes from the Greek words zephyros meaning "the west wind" and anthos meaning "flower" because it is native of the Western hemisphere.
'Itsy Bitsy' is a tiny plant that grows to only 3-5" tall. It is believed to be a selection of the Mexican Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosa'. Spider-like, pure white flowers rise slightly above the outward-spreading, narrow, monkey grass-like foliage in a late summer to early fall bloom (August-September in St. Louis).
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for snails and slugs.
Uses
Effective in beds, border fronts, rock gardens and along paths or sidewalks. Grow in groups or mass. Containers.