Identifying Mystery Plants: Red Spider Lily and Wild Amaranth

After a rain in Atlanta, GA, three plants appeared in a hanging pot. Here’s what they are and whether to keep them.

Plant 1: Red Spider Lily (Lycoris radiata)

• Appearance: Strappy leaves emerge in fall, die back in spring; tall, naked stems with spidery red flowers appear in late summer/fall.
• Origin: Native to China, naturalized in the Southeast US (Zones 7–10).
• Verdict: Keep! It’s a beautiful, low-maintenance perennial bulb.

Plants 2 & 3: Wild Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.)

• Appearance: Juvenile seedlings with oval, slightly notched leaves; some may show reddish stems.
• Nature: Edible weed (leaves cooked like spinach), but prolific self-seeder.
• Verdict: Remove if you don’t want volunteers everywhere. Harvest young leaves for eating if desired.

General Advice

When mystery plants appear, observe before acting. Many “weeds” are edible or beneficial, but aggressive seeders can become a nuisance. A quick photo ID via apps or local extension can save guesswork.