Are lilies safe for cats?

No, lilies are extremely toxic to cats and even small amounts can cause kidney failure.

When should I plant lily bulbs?

Plant them in the fall or early spring before the ground warms up.

Plant guide

Lily.

Lilium

Pronounced LIL-ee-um

Also known as Lilies, Lily

true lilies (genus) — Photo by Alexander Dubynin (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Lilies are elegant, bulbous perennials known for their large, fragrant blooms. They add a touch of sophistication to any garden bed or container. Most varieties thrive in sunny spots with well draining soil.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Bulbous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 60 to 180 cm
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Early to late summer

Care

Plant bulbs in a spot with good drainage to prevent rot. Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season, but avoid letting the bulbs sit in water. Watch for aphids or lily beetles that may damage the foliage.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growth phase.
Pruning: Cut back stems after the foliage has turned yellow and died.
Repotting: Repot when bulbs become overcrowded to maintain vigor.
Soil: Loamy, well draining soil
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Temperature: -10 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Fragrance: strong
Deer and rabbits: low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth compared to previous years.
Bulbs becoming crowded and pushing out of the soil.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested, potentially causing stomach upset.
Pets: Lilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure if ingested.
Children: Keep bulbs away from small children as they can be mistaken for onions and are toxic if eaten.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage or bulbs can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The heavy pollen produced by many lily varieties can trigger sneezing or allergic reactions in some people.
Edibility: Lilies are highly toxic to cats and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Large, showy, trumpet shaped flowers
Prominent stamens with heavy pollen
Lance shaped leaves along stems
Grows from scaly, underground bulbs

Height: 0.6 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.45m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, yellow, orange, red, 10 to 25cm

Common problems

Lily Beetle — Bright red beetles that can quickly defoliate plants.
Botrytis Blight — A fungal infection causing brown spots on leaves and flowers.

Growing it

Propagation: division, bulb scales, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back dead foliage after the first frost. Apply a layer of mulch to protect the bulbs from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: Lilies grow well in containers, provided you use a pot at least 12 inches deep with excellent drainage.

Bulb Division

Dig up the clump after the foliage has died back in autumn.
Gently separate the small bulblets from the main bulb.
Replant the bulblets at the same depth as the parent bulb.

Plant low growing perennials around the base of your lilies to keep their roots cool and shaded.

Grows well with

Peony — They share similar soil needs and bloom in succession.
Daylily — They provide a nice textural contrast in the garden bed.
Phlox — They help hide the lower stems of lilies as they grow.

Keep away from

Lily Beetle — This pest can destroy the foliage and flowers of lilies.

Similar species

Daylily — Often confused with true lilies but belong to a different family.
Tulip — Another popular bulbous plant that shares similar planting requirements.

Science

Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Lilium
Order: Liliales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Conservation: Most garden lilies are cultivated hybrids, but some wild species are protected due to habitat loss.

Lilies thrive in well drained soils and often grow in woodland clearings where they get dappled sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, moths, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental garden plant, cut flower

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Salinity: 2/9
Temperature: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Are lilies safe for cats?: No, lilies are extremely toxic to cats and even small amounts can cause kidney failure.
When should I plant lily bulbs?: Plant them in the fall or early spring before the ground warms up.

Where the name comes from

The name comes from the Latin lilium, which was derived from the Greek leirion. It has been used to describe these iconic flowers since antiquity.

Good to know

Lilies grow from bulbs that are actually modified leaves.
They are not true lilies if they belong to the Hemerocallis genus, which are daylilies.
Ancient Greeks believed lilies were created from the milk of Hera.

Is your lily looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.