Poison Bulb, scientifically known as Crinum asiaticum, is a tender perennial bulb native to tropical southeastern Asia that has become a prized ornamental across warm climates worldwide. Also called giant crinum, this amaryllis family member produces exquisitely fragrant, lily-like flowers with 6 petals and tubular corollas, each bloom reaching up to 4 inches in width and length. Hardy in zones 9-11, it grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, making a dramatic statement in gardens from summer through fall, sometimes flowering year-round in warm winter locations. The plant handles drought well and thrives in consistently moist, organically rich soil in full sun to partial shade, gradually spreading into large, established colonies over time.
Partial Sun
Moderate
9-11
72in H x 72in W
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High
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The intoxicating fragrance of these long-tubed flowers is unforgettable, drifting through summer and fall gardens in warm climates. Giant crinum flowers are genuinely showy, reaching 4 inches across in pristine white with delicate tubular forms that look almost alien in their elegance. Once established, this bulb becomes increasingly drought tolerant and requires minimal fussing, spreading naturally to form bold, architectural clumps that anchor a garden for decades.
Poison Bulb functions as an ornamental specimen plant, valued for its dramatic height, spread, and profusion of fragrant flowers. In warm-climate gardens, it serves as a focal point or backdrop planting, often grouped in large drifts to create impressive seasonal displays. Its ability to naturalize and spread over time makes it suited to establishing permanent plantings that require minimal intervention once established.
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Plant bulbs outdoors in spring in zones 9-11 for year-round growth. Bulbs should be positioned in moist, organically enriched soil in full sun to light shade.
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“Crinum asiaticum originates from tropical southeastern Asia, where it has been cultivated for centuries before spreading around the world. Its success as an ornamental has been so thorough that the species has escaped cultivation and naturalized in warmer regions of the United States, particularly in Florida, Louisiana, and California, testament to its adaptability and vigor. This journey from Asian gardens to global landscapes reflects how certain plants transcend their native ranges to become beloved by gardeners across continents.”