Lily.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Bulbous perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 7 to 10 days

Mature size

2 to 6 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Early to late summer

Care

Plant your bulbs in well draining soil with the nose pointing upward to ensure proper growth. Watch for yellowing leaves which may indicate poor drainage or overwatering. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy during the active growing season.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but allow the top inch to dry out between waterings.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season until the flowers fade.

Pruning

Remove spent flowers to prevent seed formation and cut back stems only after they turn yellow and die.

Repotting

Divide and repot bulbs when they become overcrowded or stop blooming well.

Soil

Well draining, humus rich soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 6.5

Temperature

-20 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

Low

Safety

People

All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested, potentially causing nausea or vomiting.

Pets

Lilies are highly toxic to cats and can cause severe kidney failure if ingested.

Children

Keep bulbs away from small children as they look like onions and are toxic if eaten.

Contact allergens

Handling the bulbs or stems can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The heavy pollen produced by many varieties can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

Edibility

Many lily species are toxic if ingested and should not be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

• Large, showy, trumpet shaped flowers
• Sturdy, upright, leafy stems
• Narrow, lance shaped foliage
• Scaly, underground bulbs

Height

0.6 to 1.8m

Spread

0.2 to 0.45m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pink, orange, yellow, red, purple, 8 to 20cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Botrytis BlightCommon
• Lily BeetleCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• Bulb RotUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Slugs and SnailsUncommon
• Leaf ScorchRare

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed, bulbils

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 thrive in pots at least 30 cm deep with excellent drainage.

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

Grows well with

• Peony — They provide shade for the lily roots while the lily provides vertical interest.
• Lavender — Lavender helps deter some pests and contrasts beautifully with lily blooms.

Similar species

• Daylily — Often confused due to the name but they are in a different family.

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 in their native habitats.

Lilies grow from bulbs that allow them to survive dormant periods in varied climates.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds

Uses

cut flowers, garden borders, container planting

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

When should I plant lily bulbs?

Plant them in the spring after frost or in the autumn before the ground freezes.

Do lilies need full sun?

Most prefer full sun but appreciate having their roots shaded by low growing plants.

Where the name comes from

The name comes from the Latin lilium, which was derived from the Greek leirion.

Good to know

• Lilies are not true lilies if they belong to the genus Hemerocallis, which are daylilies.
• The scent of some lilies is strongest at night to attract moths.
• Lilies have been cultivated for over 3,000 years.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs