The rain lily, or Zephranthes candida, is a perennial bulb that is the native to several countries in South America, including Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. The rain lilies native habitat is some marshes and bogs. The rain lily is so called because its flowers appear after rainstorms. The Rio de la Plata (River of Silver) in Argentina is apparently named after this lovely little plant where it grows on both shores of the river. The binomial name if this river, Zephranthes candida, has the following meanings:

• Zephranthes-comes from two Greek words. Zephuros who is the God of the west wind and is also associated with rainfall. The other word is Anthos, which means flower. The genus name literally means ‘flowers of the west wind’, which I think is quite poetic.
• Candida-shining white, as the flowers are white

The leaves of this delightful little perennial are up to thirty-five centimetres long and twisted.

Rain lily’s pretty white flowers are on pedicels (flower stalks). The flowers can be faintly tinted with red/pink on the back of petals. Flowers appear from late summer to autumn. Flowers are followed by the fruit, which is 10mm in diameter.

Growing the rain lily in cooler climates means digging up the bulbs before the first frosts, and storing them somewhere cool and dry. Re-plant in spring. In warmer climates, the bulbs can stay in the ground. They look good in mass plantings where the effect of a mass of white flowers looks really good. they also look good in pots. Plant in full sun for best growth and flowering. If you get some extreme heat in summer, protect these little plants from the afternoon sun to help prevent leaf scorching and dieback, as well as reduced floral displays.

Slugs and snails may be a potential problem, as are spider mites. Otherwise, the rain lily is a trouble free plant from what I have read.

Now for the question of whether I’d have this little plant in my garden. I have to day yes I would. I would probably have a few pots dotted around and I’d also try growing some in a lawn and see how they do.