Crinum asiaticum: Benefits and plant care tips

Crinum asiaticum is a beautiful plant that can grow up to three feet tall. It has red flowers, which are said to smell like jasmine. The plant is commonly used in Chinese medicine.

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The leaves of Crinum asiaticum are ovate-lanceolate in shape and can grow up to 3 feet in length. These leaves have smooth edges, which gives them a bluish colour when seen in the sunlight.

Crinum asiaticum is one of the most popular and easiest to grow crinums available. It produces beautiful flowers that are large, white, and fragrant. The plant has a compact habit, and it grows well indoors or outdoors.

The flower buds of Crinum asiaticum are greenish-white with yellow spots on their undersides. They have five petals that are formed into two lobes, which give them a heart-shaped appearance when viewed from above. 

The flowers bloom throughout the year, but they do so at different times depending on location. The flowers bloom during hot weather conditions when temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Clivia miniata belongs to the same family as the Amaryllidaceae. Learn more about it.

Crinum asiaticum: Quick facts

Botanical Name	Crinum asiaticum
Common Name	Seashore Lily, Poison Bulb, Bakung, Crinum Lily, Asiatic Poison Lily, Spider Lily, Seashore Crinum, Bawang Hutan
Genus	Crinum
Family	Amaryllidaceae
Life Cycle	Annual
Mature Size	Up to 2 m tall
Cultivation	Asia
Benefits	Medical Uses

 

Crinum Asiaticum Characteristics

Here are the main characteristics of Crinum Asiaticum.

• The plant is a tender perennial bulb in the amaryllis family, which is referred to as giant crinum.
• The flowers are fragrant and long-tubed, which are six-petaled flowers that appear like lily.
• The flowers are white in colour and have tubular corollas and bloom around summer to fall.
• Each flower has six protruding stamens with red filaments.
• The evergreen leaves of the plant are strap-shaped and parallel-veined.

 

Crinum asiaticum features

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• Crinum asiaticum is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It is native to Asia but has been introduced to other areas of the world. Crinum asiaticum grows in Udon Thani province, Thailand.
• Crinum asiaticum is an annual plant, which means it will only grow once during its life cycle. To grow Crinum asiaticum, start seeds indoors in late winter or early spring and transplant them outside after they’re one month old.
• You may also want to protect your plants from frost if you live in an area that receives heavy snowfall during the winter months (which can damage the roots).

 

Crinum asiaticum: How to grow?

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The following are the guidelines for the cultivation of Crinum asiaticum:

• The best time to transplant your Crinum asiaticum is just before or during the spring when your indoor temperatures are warmest. You can also transplant it in fall or early spring if you live in a colder climate and want to give it a head start on blooming.
• Be aware that this plant will not bloom if it is moved at any other time of year because it needs at least six months to produce its first flower buds.
• The soil should be light, rich and well-drained with good drainage.  You can use potting soil mixed with perlite or vermiculite if you prefer, but don’t use regular garden soil because it may contain too much sand or clay that will prevent proper root development for the plant. 
• If you live in an area where freezing weather frequently occurs, add about one inch of mulch around the base of your crinum.
• This plant needs at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to bloom, so it should be placed where it receives full sunlight.
• The plants will not flower indoors but will survive without flowers until summertime when they will flower again. 
• Plants need plenty of water during their growth stages to avoid root rot.

 

Crinum asiaticum: Tips for plant care

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The most important thing to keep in mind when growing Crinum asiaticum is water. It likes to be kept moist so that it doesn’t go dormant during the winter months and lose its colour.  If your plant starts going dormant, just let it sit for a few weeks before watering again. This will help revive its colours and make them brighter than ever.

 

What is the difference between crinum and amaryllis?

Both Crinum and amaryllis belong the group Tracheophytes. Crinums are called as lilies and belong to the Amaryl family. However, the two plants have some differences. Amaryllis bloom during the late spring season and crinum lilies take longer time to bloom in summer or up to early fall.

 

Crinum Asiaticum benefits

The plant has been used in traditional medicine in Southeast Asian and Thai in treating pain and inflammatory conditions. One of the widely known benefits of the plant includes its traditional use in treating certain medical conditions. The plant is known to work in treating conditions such as boils, contusions, fever, earache, mumps and gastrointestinal symptoms.

 

How poisonous are Crinum lilies?

Some species of crinum lilies may be poisonous to pets and humans alike, as they may contain toxic alkaloids called lycorine and crinamine. These chemicals may cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and respiratory problems. All parts of the plant can be poisonous if ingested.

 

FAQs

What is the blooming time of Crinum lilies?

It takes approximately four years for seed-grown lilies to flower. If you are growing the Crinum lily in a warmer climate, you may treat it as a perennial. However, during colder months, you should mulch it to protect it from the cold.

Is it possible for Crinum to grow in shade?

The most effective way to grow Crinum bulbs is to plant them in partial shade up to the neck, the slender part of the bulb.

What is the most effective way to care for Crinum asiaticum?

The plant performs best in full sun, organic soil that is rich in organic matter, and drained well.

Is it possible to grow Crinum in pots?

Stems should be above ground, and necks should be below ground. It is possible to grow crinums in pots.