Q.Crinum Lily Ends Turning Yellow W/ Small Black Spots
A few years ago, we moved from Texas to Washington – one of the things we brought with us was one of my late Mother-in-law’s crinums. This lady (the plant, not the lady-lady) is old, real old. They were planted in the mid-late 60’s. I divided all the pups off of it and we just brought the ‘master bulb’ with us – it took the trip well and even bloomed shortly after it was replanted in its pot once we arrived here (16x16x20 deep). It’s done well and has given off a few pups since we’ve put it in its pot. It overwinters inside and spends warmer months outside. But – it still is the pacific northwest. Not that long ago, right before we were going to bring the plants in for the winter (since it hadn’t dropped below 50 at night yet), we had a big ol’ rain storm roll in. While we always appreciate the rain, the potted plants didn’t. I poured out about 4 inches of rain from the crinum’s pot and my daughter’s rose bush had to be completely repotted as it was just floating in sludge. Luckily, the crinum’s soil was still actual dirt. Now – this pot has drain holes, they aren’t that big but they are there. I figured… maybe it’d dry out? I just wouldn’t water it for *awhile*. So, I brought it inside and set it up with it’s fancy winter light and just… left it alone, it is a crinum after all. But, I noticed the start of yellowing on the ends of its leaves, while this isn’t unnecessarily unusual for houseplants, when it comes to this one, I’m understandably paranoid. The soil is still moist, but not compacted, I raked my fingers through quite a few inches of it – but it is still moist. After that novel – my question is, should I replace the soil? I’m worried about mold and fungus considering where we live and how long it’s been wet now, even though its inside. But I don’t want to stress it out further? Or should I just give it some more time? What are some more warning signs I should be on the look out for? I’d really appreciate any and all info I can get on this. Also – the leaves are rigid and normal feeling up until the “bend” where they start to feel that kind of soft supple, like they always do until they get to the end, where it’s yellow and spotted and crinkly dry. Note on the photo – the masking tape, which doesn’t go onto the plant – is to keep my daughter’s new cat out of the plant.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
That sounds normal for a plant coming in from outside, but since you've overwintered it inside before, I'm guessing the leaves stayed green. In that case, I would go ahead and repot it in potting soil. They don't like to sit in wet soil, it must be well drained.
Also, you could leave those in the ground over winter. Crinum lilies are hardy to zone 7 and 8 typically. You are in zone 8. I had a crinum lily at my previous location, which was zone 6b and it did fine in the ground.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/crinum-lily/crinum-lilies.htm
