Lilium

( LILL - ee - um )

At-A-Glance Information

Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants that grow from bulbs. Species are mostly native to the Northern Hemisphere from temperate to subtropical climates. They range in height from 1 to 6 feet tall when in bloom, and produce large, often fragrant flowers in white, yellow, orange, pink, red or purple. Petals typically have markings. Use Lilies in mixed beds and borders, in woodland, informal, pollinator, or native gardens, or even grow them in containers on sunny patios or pathways, where their fragrance can take center stage. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are highly toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Lilium Species and Varietals

The genus Lilium is the type genus of the plant family Liliaceae, and includes 119 distinct species. Plants in this genus are closely related to those in Fritillaria and Cardiocrinum. Lilies grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9, though this varies somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the species descriptions below: To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Lilium albanicum (Albanian Lily)
This rare species is native to Albania and northern areas of Greece. It forms an upright plant with branched flowering stems and linear green foliage. Flowers are golden-yellow with darker reddish markings and recurved petals. Blooms are pendulous, and anthers are covered in bright orange pollen. Individual plants reach between 2 and 4 feet tall when mature and in bloom. Best in USDA hardiness zones 5a-7b.

Lilium amabile (Friendly Lily, Lovable Lily, Xiùlì Bǎihé, 秀丽百合)
These plants reach up to between 16 and 31 inches tall when mature and in bloom, and are native to China and Korea. Flowers are produced singly or in 3's, and sepals and petals are red, occasionally yellow or reddish-orange. The plant has an unpleasant fragrance. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Lilium auratum (Mountain Lily, Golden-Rayed Lily, Goldband Lily, Goldband Lily of Japan, Yamayuri, 山百合)
These plants typically produce large white flowers with golden radial markings and orange spots, but can also vary in flower color. The blooms are strongly scented, and sit atop flowering stems that can reach up to 8 feet tall. The species is used widely to develop taller modern lily cultivars. The species is native to Japan and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Lilium bolanderi (Bolander's Lily)
This rare species of Lily is native to northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. It reaches over three feet tall, and flowering stems are many-branched, emerging from a basal tuft of green foliage. Blooms are typically red, and have yellow, purple, or darker red markings. The species is named for California botanist Henry Nicholas Bolander. Bolander's Lily grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8a-9b or Sunset growing zones 4-7 and 14-17.

Lilium bulbiferum (Fire Lily, Orange Lily, Jimmy's Bane, Tiger Lily, St. John's Lily)
This species is native to Europe (Spain, Finland, and Ukraine), and produces orange and red flowers. Individual plants reach up to just under 50 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Each flower inflorescence holds between 1 and 5 flowers. These flowers grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.

Lilium canadense (Canada Lily, Wild Yellow-Lily, Meadow Lily, Canadian Lily)
Native to eastern North America, this species is cultivated worldwide as a garden ornamental. Flowers bloom in June, and are pendulous. Blooms can be yellow, orange, or red, and often have darker spots and markings on them. They naturally grow in moist woodland and meadow landscapes and do well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.

Lilium candidum (Madonna Lily, White Lily)
This species of Lily is native to the Balkans and Middle East, and has naturalized in areas of Europe, North Africa, Mexico, and elsewhere. It has been cultivated for thousands of years as a landscape ornamental and for its cut flowers. It forms a basal rosette of leaves in winter, and during the growing season reaches up to between 4 and 7 feet tall. Blooms are white, tinted yellow towards their throats, and flower in summertime; they are very fragrant. Madonna Lily grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Lilium carniolicum (Golden Apple Lily, Carniolan Lily, Carnic Lily)
These lilies are native to an area that ranges from the Balkans to Austria and northeastern Italy. They are most abundant in the Carniola historical region (mainly in Slovenia). Flowers vary in color from red to yellow, and are typically spotted with black dots. They reach up to 1.5-4 feet tall when mature and in bloom, and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Lilium catesbaei (Catesby's Lily, Pine Lily, Leopard Lily, Tiger Lily, Southern-Red Lily)
Native to Florida and other regions in the United States' coastal southeast. It prefers to grow in damp areas, and requires soil to be warm in order to thrive. Plants produce a single flower with upright, somewhat recurved petals that are carmine-red and yellow with purple markings toward petal bases. Individual plants reach up to about 3 feet tall. Blooms are 5-6 inches across. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7a-10b.

Lilium columbianum (Colombia Lily, Columbia Tiger Lily, Tiger Lily, Oregon Lily, Wild Tiger Lily)
These plants grow in forest openings and meadows in a range that extends from southern British Colombia south to northern California and east to Montana. They bloom from June through August, producing golden-yellow to light orange blooms with dark markings and recurved petals. Individual plants reach up to 4 feet tall. Best in USDA zones 5-9.

Lilium formosanum (Formosa Lily, Taiwanese Lily, Trumpet Flower, Wild Lily, Takasago Lily, 野百合)
Endemic to Taiwan, this species is closely related to the Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum) and reaches up to between 4 and 5 feet tall when mature, and produces green foliage and white almost tubular flowers. Blooms are fragrant and present on plants between June and December in the plant's native range. This species is considered invasive in Australia, South Africa, Japan, South America, and Florida and Hawai'i in the United States.

Lilium grayi (Gray's Lily, Orange Bell Lily, Roan Lily)
These plants are endemic to the eastern United States (North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee), where they grow in moist, acidic soil in the Appalachian Mountains. The species honors American botanist Asa Gray. Flowers are red-orange and bell-shaped, opening up over time. Petals have purple spots on them. Individual plants in the species reach up to between 2 and 5 feet tall when mature and in bloom. The species is considered imperiled due to habitat loss, climate change, and overharvesting. Best in USDA hardiness zones 4a-5b.

Lilium hansonii (Hanson's Lily, Japanese Turk's Cap Lily, Bamboo-Leaf Lily, Zhú yè bǎi hé, 竹叶百合)
This species is native to east Asia (Korea, Japan, and China) and is cultivated worldwide as a garden ornamental. It is a vigorous lily species, flowering early in the season. It produces golden-yellow to orange-yellow flowers with fleshy petals spotted with dark purple. The species is named for American landscape artist Peter Hanson. Best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Lilium longiflorum (Easter Lily, White Trumpet Lily, Bermuda Lily, November Lily, Táiwān bǎihé, 台灣百合)
This species is endemic to Taiwan and Japan's Ryukyu Islands. It reaches over three feet tall when mature, and produces multiple trumpet-shaped white fragrant flowers. The plants are in flower from April through June. This species is weedy and has naturalized outside of its native range, but is not considered invasive. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Ace'
Commercial standard with white flowers.

'Deliana'
Flowers in shades of yellow, cream, or greenish.

'Elegant Lady'
With fragrant blush-pink blooms.

'Triumphator'
White blooms with a bold rose-pink center.

'White American'
Pure white blooms to 5 inches across with slightly recurved petals.

'White Elegance'
Hardy, with resistance to leaf scorch. White blooms.

'White Heaven'
Compact garden variety to 2-3 feet tall with 7 inch wide white flowers.

Lilium martagon (Martagon Lily, Turk's Cap Lily)
This species has a widespread native range from Portugal east through Europe into Mongolia. It reaches up to a bit over three feet tall when mature and in bloom. Flowers are typically pinkish-purple to maroon-red with darker spots, but are quite variable in color (ranging from almost white to almost black). Leaves are often lightly hairy on their undersides. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9.

Lilium michauxii (Carolina Lily, Michaux's Lily)
These wildflowers are native to the southeastern United States, where they naturally grow in sandy soils of forests and ridgelines. This species is the state wildflower of North Carolina. It produces fragrant, orange-red flowers with dark spots, and is in bloom between July and October. Individual plants reach up to 3.5 feet tall. Best in USDA hardiness zones 6a-9b.

Lilium nepalense (Lily of Nepal, Himalaya Lily, Green Lily, Khiraule, खिरौंला, Ban Lasun, Wild Garlic, Titepiraloo)
These lilies are native to Thailand, Myanmar, and China, and grow along moist forest borders. They reach up to 3 feet tall, and produce pale green to white flowers with dark reddish-purple throats. Petals are recurved. Blooms are typically unscented during the day, but emit a wonderful fragrance after the sun goes down. Best in USDA zones 6-9.

Lilium occidentale (Western Lily)
This rare North American species is native to northwest California and southwest Oregon. It grows in prairies, swamps, and stagnant bog landscapes, and is considered critically endangered to due to habitat loss and climate change. It can top out over 6 feet tall when in bloom, and produces bright red flowers with recurved petals that have dark markings and are yellow towards their centers. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5a-9b.

Lilium parvum (Sierra Tiger Lily, Alpine Lily, Ditch Lily, Small Tiger Lily, Small Leopard Lily, Fairy Lily)
These plants are native to the mountain ranges of the western United States, including in California, Nevada, and Oregon. They grow in high-altitude forests and produce branched flowering stalks in the summertime. Flowers are small and have more of a bell shape than other species'. Blooms are orange to yellow-orange with yellow throats often marked with darker colors. Best in USDA hardiness zones 5-8.

Lilium philadephicum (Philadelphia Lily, Flame Lily, Wood Lily, Prairie Lily, Western Red Lily, Northern Red Lily)
These plants are native to North America, from Canada down through the United States. These plants are considered endangered with extinction in many areas of its native range, and produces bright red-orange flowers, commonly with yellow bases and brown to dark purple markings towards their centers. Philadelphia Lily grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.

Lilium regale (Regal Lily, Christmas Lily, Royal Lily, King's Lily, Trumpet Lily, Mín jiāng bǎi hé, 岷江百合, Min River Lily)
This species is native to southwestern China, and is cultivated worldwide as a garden ornamental and for cut flowers. It is a long-lived plant with green foliage, reaching up to 6 feet tall when mature. Flowers are white with yellow centers, opening from light pink to magenta buds. Stamens are prominent. Best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Lilium rubescens (Redwood Lily, Chaparral Lily)
Native to northwest California and southwest Oregon, where it grows in redwood forest understory and chaparral landscapes. Redwood Lily grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7b-9b. It is a perennial, and produces green leaves with wavy edges. Flowers are fragrant and white to pale purple in color, often freckled with red spots.

Lilium superbum (Turk's Cap Lily, Turban Lily, Swamp Lily, Lily Royal, American Tiger Lily, Superb Lily)
These lilies are native to woodlands, meadows and swamps in eastern and central North America, and reach between 3 and 7 feet tall when mature and in bloom. Flowers are reddish-orange to yellow-orange, typically with dark red-brown to purple freckles. Flower petals are recurved. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zons 4-8.

Lilium washingtonianum (Washington Lily, Shasta Lily, Mt. Hood Lily)
These plants are native to Oregon and California and produce white flowers with dark freckles. The species is named for Martha Washington, America's first First Lady. Individual plants reach between 3.5 and 6.5 feet tall when mature and in bloom. Stems have a waxy, bluish coating that rubs off, and foliage is green. Best in USDA hardiness zones 6-9.

Caring for Lilium

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as they are highly toxic if plant parts are ingested. Plant Lilies in full sun to partial shade; ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best flowering. In warmer climates, they appreciate some late afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak to avoid sunburn. Their underground bulbs also do not like high temperatures; planting lilies in a spot in the garden where the soil receives shade but above-ground plant parts will receive full sun is perfect. Bulbs can be planted directly into the garden, about 6-9 inches deep for proper insulation. Lilies prefer soil that is very well-draining, fertile, and that has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. After planting, add a layer of mulch to the area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, these flowers appreciate a good amount of moisture, but cannot stand waterlogged soils, which will cause bulbs to rot out. If soil drainage is an issue, planting these flowers in containers or raised beds is recommended. Drip irrigation systems are ideal for these plants, as overhead watering can cause fungal diseases to develop.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. If local soils are low in nutrients, a second application of compost can be completed in summertime. After lilies have completed their flowering, stems will turn brown and they can be cut back to the ground. Allow them to turn brown before pruning, as when they are green, they are still actively photosynthesizing and sending nutrients and energy to their bulbs. When grown in a cramped space or a container, these plants will need to be divided every three to five years. For instructions on how to divide Lilies, see the Propagation section below. Lilies are considered long-lived herbaceous perennials, and can survive for over 15 years in the garden if cared for properly. They will form clumps over time that can be divided, providing flowers for the landscape indefinitely.

Growing Lilies in Containers
Lilies do well when grown in containers, and if garden soil does not drain well, this is an ideal way to cultivate these sometimes finicky flowers. Ensure that containers have adequate drainage holes before filling them with well-draining soil. Amend potting soil with plenty of sand, organic material, or perlite before planting to increase nutrient load, improve structure, and increase drainage. Select a pot that is at least 2 inches wider than the nursery pot. If planting via bulb, choose a pot that is at least 10 inches wide and twice as tall as the bulb. Apply mulch to the soil surface after panting to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Place the container in a sunny area on a patio or walkway. When grown in containers, these plants will eventually outgrow their space. When flowering starts to falter or plants just generally look unwell, this is a good indicator that they will need to be divided soon.

Harvesting Lily Flowers
Take care when bringing these flowers indoors for display, as they are very toxic to humans, cats and dogs. Lilies are classic cut flower arrangement superstars, with their bright, large blooms and sweet, powerful fragrance. They are typically removed from plants before they open, but after they have attained a good amount of color. This ensures that petals will not be damaged by insects, disease, or gardening activities before they are put on display. They will open in 24 hours or less at room temperature. Cut them from plants in the early morning or early evening after plants have gotten some water. Use sharp, cleaned shears to cut them to avoid crushing or contaminating stems. Leave at least 1/3 of the stem behind to ensure that enough energy is still being directed towards the underground bulb. Remove any leaves below the water line to prevent bacterial growth, and then immediately place the cut flowering stems in a bucket of cool water. Allow them to sit in a cool area for a few hours before arranging them. Once flowers open, cut off the pollen anthers, which can stain skin, clothing, and anything else they come into contact with. They can last between 7 and 10 days in a vase.

Propagation

Lilium, or Lilies, can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Lily flowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Lilium by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Lilium by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the bulb(s). Once you have worked them up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Lilium seed pods, ready to burst open and empty their contents.

Lilium seeds are typically brown and flattened.

Problems and Pests

Certain Lilium species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Lilium plants are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: