How to grow Lily

Lilium · true lily

Summer-flowering bulb with large, often fragrant flowers on stems 0.3–2.4 m tall, in bloom from June to August. Plant it in early autumn or in spring. All parts are highly toxic to cats.

Quick facts

Type	Flower
Family	Liliaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil pH	6–7
Frost	tolerates light frost
Germination	180 days
Where it grows	Open ground

When to plant

Plant in autumn, about a month before your first autumn frost, so the roots grow before winter; it flowers or crops the next season.

Dates for your city are on the frost dates page.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	phosphorus and potassium, at the start of the stage; phosphorus and potassium, 30 days into the stage; phosphorus and potassium, 60 days into the stage
Flowering	every 7 days	—	phosphorus and potassium, 13 days into the stage

Growing notes

Light

Full sun or light part shade, best with the flowers in sun and the roots in shade. In too little light the stems grow weak.

Soil

Rich, well-drained soil that stays moist; pH 6.0–7.0, while Oriental lilies need acid soil. Heavy clay and waterlogged ground rot the bulbs; on heavy soil plant in a raised bed.

Care

Plant bulbs 10–15 cm deep and 15–30 cm apart; Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) goes in with its tip just below the surface. Mulch to keep the roots cool and keep the soil moist, never waterlogged. From when the shoots appear, feed lightly once a month with a low-nitrogen fertiliser such as 5-10-10. Stake tall stems. Cut off faded flowers so no seed pods form, but leave the stem and leaves until they turn yellow. Watch for lily beetle.

Pests and diseases of Lily

Lily beetle

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.