How to Grow Arthropodium
Wikimedia Commons
Arthropodium
Arthropodium cirrhatum
flowerArthropodium, commonly known as Renga Lily or Hanging Lily, is an evergreen perennial native to New Zealand with attractive arching foliage and delicate white star-shaped flowers on tall spikes. The plant produces graceful runners with small plantlets, creating an elegant cascading effect ideal for containers and hanging baskets. It is a low-maintenance ornamental valued for its architectural foliage and charming floral displays.
When should you plant Arthropodium in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Arthropodium timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Arthropodium
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Arthropodium blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Arthropodium dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11, with frost protection in zone 9a
Sign up free to see if Arthropodium grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Arthropodium timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung plantlets develop a rosette of narrow, arching green leaves. Root system is establishing.
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright, indirect light. Protect from strong winds that may damage tender foliage.
Vegetative Growth
3-6 monthsPlant develops fuller foliage clumps with increasingly arching leaves. Runners may begin to form.
Maintain regular watering schedule. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season. Remove any dead or damaged leaves.
Runner Development
Ongoing, typically after 6-12 monthsLong, thread-like runners (stolons) emerge from the base, cascading downward with small plantlets forming at nodes.
Support runners if desired or allow to cascade freely. Plantlets will root readily in soil or moist air.
Flowering
4-8 weeks per cycle; may bloom multiple times yearly in ideal conditionsDelicate white star-shaped flowers with yellow centers appear on tall spikes rising above the foliage, typically in spring to early summer.
Continue consistent watering and feeding. Support flower spikes if they become top-heavy. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming.
Post-Flowering & Propagation
Ongoing throughout growing seasonAfter flowering, plantlets on runners mature and can be detached. Plant focuses energy on producing new foliage and runners.
Reduce fertilizer. Allow plantlets to root before detaching. Cut back old flower spikes once completely dried.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Increase humidity by misting foliage; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestation occurs
-
Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; treat with insecticidal soap if severe
-
Scrape off manually or treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap
-
and
Remove by hand, use slug traps, or apply diatomaceous earth around the plant base
Uses
Not edible
CulinaryArthropodium is purely ornamental and not cultivated for culinary purposes. [source]
Interior decoration and hanging baskets
HouseholdThe arching foliage and cascading runners make Arthropodium ideal for indoor hanging baskets, shelves, and as a trailing houseplant in bright indirect light. The delicate flowers add visual interest to garden rooms and conservatories. [source]
Cut flowers and floral arrangements
CraftThe tall flower spikes with delicate white blooms are suitable for cutting and arranging in floral designs, providing a lightweight, elegant addition to mixed bouquets. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe star-shaped flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, making Arthropodium a useful ornamental for supporting garden ecosystems. [source]
Harvest Tips
Arthropodium is primarily ornamental; flowers can be cut for floral arrangements at peak bloom. Plantlets can be detached from runners once they develop roots (visible after 2-3 weeks in soil or water) and potted individually for propagation.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Arthropodium gets its common name 'Hanging Lily' from its distinctive arching growth habit and the way runners with plantlets cascade elegantly from containers.
- 🌱 The small plantlets that form along the runners are clones of the parent plant and can be detached and propagated to create new plants, making Arthropodium an excellent choice for gardeners interested in easy propagation.
- 🌱 Despite being native to New Zealand, Arthropodium adapts well to container growing and indoor environments, making it popular in temperate and tropical gardens worldwide where it thrives with minimal care.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Arthropodium planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Arthropodium seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Arthropodium timeline →