How deep should I plant the bulbs?

Plant the bulbs about 15 to 20 centimeters deep.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun but appreciates having its roots shaded by low growing plants.

Plant guide

Regal Lily.

Lilium regale

Pronounced LIL-ee-um ree-GAH-lee

Also known as Regal lily, Royal Lily

The Regal Lily is a stunning, fragrant bulbous perennial that brings a touch of elegance to any garden. It produces large, trumpet shaped white flowers with a golden throat and purplish pink streaks on the outside. These beauties are quite hardy and return reliably each year when planted in a sunny spot.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Bulbous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Plant your bulbs in well draining soil with the top of the bulb about six inches deep. Keep an eye out for aphids or lily beetles that might snack on the foliage. Ensure the soil stays moist but never soggy to prevent the bulbs from rotting.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the active growing season but reduce watering after the flowers fade.
Feeding: Apply a balanced bulb fertilizer once a month during the spring and early summer.
Pruning: Cut back the dead stems to the ground only after the foliage has turned yellow and withered in the fall.
Repotting: Divide and repot the bulbs every few years when they become overcrowded to keep them blooming well.
Soil: Well draining, fertile, loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%

Safety

People: Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress and is particularly dangerous to cats.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and can cause severe kidney failure if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as the bulbs and foliage are toxic if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: Handling the bulbs or foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The heavy, sweet fragrance of the flowers can be overwhelming and may trigger respiratory sensitivity in some people.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are considered toxic if ingested by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Trumpet shaped white flowers
Golden yellow throat
Purplish pink exterior streaks
Strong sweet fragrance
Narrow lance shaped leaves

Height: 0.9 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: dark green, deciduous
Flowers: white, yellow, pink, purple, 10 to 15cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, bulb offsets
When to plant: spring, autumn

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

Grows well with

Lavender · Provides a nice color contrast and enjoys similar sun exposure.
Hosta · The large leaves shade the lily roots while the lily grows tall above them.

Similar species

Trumpet Lily · Shares the classic trumpet shape and strong fragrance.

Science

Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Lilium
Order: Liliales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Sichuan province, China.
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered, but wild collection should be avoided to protect native populations.

It grows naturally on steep, rocky, and well drained mountain slopes in its native habitat.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, moths
Uses: ornamental garden plant, cut flowers, fragrant border

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How deep should I plant the bulbs?: Plant the bulbs about 15 to 20 centimeters deep.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers full sun but appreciates having its roots shaded by low growing plants.

Where the name comes from

The species name regale means royal or regal, referring to its majestic appearance. It was introduced to the West by Ernest Wilson in 1903.

Good to know

The flowers are famously fragrant, especially in the evening.
It is often called the regal lily or royal lily.
It thrives in well drained, slightly acidic soil.
The stems are very sturdy and often do not require staking.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your regal lily growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.