Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Measure the hours of direct sunlight the plant receives.
- Check if the foliage was cut back while still green last season.
- Ensure the soil is not waterlogged.
Likely causes
Insufficient Sunlight
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant looks tall and thin, and it is leaning heavily toward the nearest light source. It is likely planted in too much shade.
What to do: Move your lily to a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct or bright indirect sunlight. If it is in the ground, you may need to transplant it in the fall.
Bulb Exhaustion
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks healthy and green but simply fails to produce buds. This often happens if the foliage was cut back too early the previous year.
What to do: Allow the foliage to turn yellow and die back naturally after blooming. Feed the plant with a balanced bulb fertilizer in the early spring to help it store energy.
Find out what's wrong with your tiger lily
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
If your lily has not bloomed for two consecutive years, it is time to check the light and soil quality. Young bulbs may take a season to establish before they produce their first flowers.
Stopping it coming back
Feed your lilies once in the spring and let the leaves fade naturally to ensure the bulb is fully charged for next year.
Tiger Lily: not flowering? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tiger lily and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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Questions people ask
- Should I deadhead my Tiger Lily?
- Yes, remove the spent flowers to prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production. This helps the bulb focus on storing energy for next year.
- Does the bulb depth matter?
- Yes, plant bulbs about 4 to 6 inches deep. If they are too shallow or too deep, it can affect their ability to bloom.
More problems with Tiger Lily
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.