Pocket Botanist
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Check these first
- Inspect the undersides of all leaves for red beetles.
- Look for sticky residue or tiny clusters of bugs on the buds.
- Check for chewed leaf edges or holes.
Likely causes
Lily Leaf Beetle
Most likelyHow to tell: You will see bright red, metallic beetles on the undersides of leaves or dark, messy excrement covering the foliage.
What to do: Pick the adult beetles off by hand and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. If you see larvae, spray the foliage with neem oil or a garden insecticidal soap every 7 days until they are gone.
Aphids
PossibleHow to tell: Look for tiny green or black insects clustering on new growth or flower buds. They often leave behind a sticky residue called honeydew.
What to do: Blast the aphids off with a strong stream of water from your garden hose. For heavy infestations, apply insecticidal soap once a week until the bugs disappear.
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
If you see the bright red beetles, start treatment immediately as they can defoliate a plant in under a week. Small numbers of aphids are usually harmless but should be washed off to prevent virus spread.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your garden tidy and inspect your lilies every 3 to 5 days during the spring. Planting companion flowers like marigolds can help deter some pests.
Tiger Lily: pests? 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
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Are these beetles harmful to me?
- No, lily leaf beetles are not harmful to humans or pets. They only have an appetite for lilies and fritillaries.
- Can I use systemic pesticides?
- Systemic pesticides can be effective, but they may harm pollinators like bees. Stick to manual removal or neem oil whenever possible.
Guides to these causes
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.