Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) Crinum asiaticum
Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) (Crinum asiaticum) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Amaryllidaceae family, native to Coasts of tropical and subtropical Asia, northern Australia and the Pacific. It grows 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) tall and 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–104 weeks after planting, for 21–43 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coasts of tropical and subtropical Asia, northern Australia and the Pacific |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇮🇳 India, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: bulb, leaves, all parts
Contains lycorine and other Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, concentrated in the big bulb: vomiting, diarrhoea and worse if eaten. ASPCA lists crinum lilies as toxic to cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng)
- How far apart should I plant Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) flower?
- About 52–104 weeks after planting, for 21–43 weeks.
- Is Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people severely toxic. Contains lycorine and other Amaryllidaceae alkaloids, concentrated in the big bulb: vomiting, diarrhoea and worse if eaten. ASPCA lists crinum lilies as toxic to cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Poison bulb (giant crinum lily, phlap phlueng). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A huge rosette of fleshy strap leaves from a stem-like bulb; heads of spidery, night-scented white flowers. Tolerates salt spray, wet ground and drought: a classic beach-garden and roadside plant.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Onion Allium cepa
- Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus
- Garlic Allium sativum
- Leek Allium ampeloprasum (Porrum group)
- Chives Allium schoenoprasum
- Agapanthus Agapanthus praecox
- Ornamental allium Allium giganteum
- Shallot Allium cepa var. aggregatum