Lily
aka Lilium
lilies are an exotic and elegant perennial flower that are quite easy to grow. Lilies start as onion-like bulbs and require good soil and lots of sun to flourish.
variations
trumpet lilies, Asiatic lilies, Easter lilies, Oriental lilies
light
full sun
Your lilies will enjoy about 6 – 8 hours of sunlight but be sure to keep their roots cool.
water + feeding
thirsty
Water your lilies freely, especially if you’re not in a climate that gets much rainfall in the summer months.
toxic
yes, the whole plant
The entire plant is toxic to humans and pets. Even the water that fresh cut lilies sit in can make you and your fuzzy friends sick.
location
in the sun
A good rule of thumb is that lilies like their head in the sun and their feet in the shade. To help keep your lily’s roots cool, consider planting with low profile annuals or perennials, or ornamental grasses.
size
medium to large
Lilies can grow between 2 – 8 ft tall!
pro tip
lots at stake
Lilies can grow quite tall. Consider staking your lilies to keep them tall and upright.
fun fact
powerful native plants
Lilies are attractive to many insects because of their bright colours and sweet nectar. They can be pollinated by either the wind or bees!
beyond the basics
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soil + potting
Lilies love to have their roots in cool soil, and their heads in the sun. The best soil option to keep your lilies happy is a rich, moist soil. that is also well-draining. Consider adding in just a little bit of organic compost.
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companion planting
You can find a wide variety of companion plants from annuals, bulbs to
other perennials. Consider using annuals such as dill, geraniums, pansies, or new guinea impatiens. Dahlias, daffodils, or irises make great companions when planting other bulbs. Perennials such as peonies, daisies and lavender are excellent companions for lilies. -
Blooms
Lilies only bloom once per season. You can remove, or deadhead, faded flowers to keep your plant from wasting energy making new seeds.
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pest control
The most common pest issues for lilies are infestations of scarlet lily beetles. These little guys like to hang out on the underside of leaves. The easiest way to get rid of these little pests is to catch them manually by holding a bottle of warm water under the leaves you’re inspecting. The bugs will be startled and drop off into the water waiting below.
troubleshooting
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what are those oval-shaped spots on my leaves?
Lily disease. This is a fungal infection that creates oval-shaped dark spots on your lily’s leaves. Make sure you use clean tools before you get started. Then clear out the infected soil and debris and get rid of the infected plant. Be sure to not plant lilies in an infected spot again.
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why are the tips of my leaves turning brown?
Could be overwatering, sunburn, or underwatering. If the tip of the leaf is brown and crunchy, this means the soil is likely too dry.
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why are my buds rotting?
Likely a fungus. Many fungi (Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora, Pythium, Fusarium, and Cylindrocarpon) attack the bulb and cause the roots to rot. This will also cause the plant to wilt, and eventually die. Be sure to remove the infected plants and check all bulbs carefully before planting.
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why aren’t my lilies blooming?
Could be the result of small bulbs or over-crowding in the soil. Planting your lily bulbs too shallow could also lead to your lily not producing big blooms. If you cut away the leaves after a lily has flowered, it may also decrease the likelihood of flowering the following year. Keep in mind, some lilies won’t flower in their first year of planting due to transplant shock.
