Lily care guide
Lilium
Also known as: Garden lily, Oriental lily
Pets and children
Considered toxic
Highly toxic to cats: flowers, leaves, pollen and even vase water can cause acute kidney failure from a small amount; keep lilies out of homes with cats and consult a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) at once if eaten.
How often to water Lily
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 4 days
- From shoot to spent flower, water well whenever the topsoil dries, as a guide; in midsummer water in the morning or evening so the base stays cool.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 7 days
- Water less once the leaves yellow; a newly planted bulb is watered about when the soil dries so it does not dry out.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 10 days
- Lily bulbs have no protective skin and dislike drying out, so even in winter give a light watering about every ten days before the soil dries fully.
Light and placement for Lily
Generally it wants sun on top and a cool base: morning sun with light afternoon shade suits it, and pots are kept out of hot western sun with the base mulched.
Overwintering Lily
Overwintering guide: −10°C (14°F) or above
Most lilies are hardy: in the ground they generally need no protection, pots go under the eaves only in hard freezes, and the bulb stays in place, kept from drying out.
Fertilizing and repotting Lily
Fertilizer
Mix slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting and top-dress as shoots grow in spring and again after bloom, as a guide; hold off in flowering and midsummer, as overfeeding damages the bulb.
When to repot
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Lily
- Planted too shallow, no stem roots form, so it wobbles and flowers small.
- The bulb rots in poorly draining soil or a saucer left full of water.
- Cutting the whole stem right after bloom leaves next year's bulb thin.
Tips for growing Lily
- Plant two to three bulb heights deep in a tall pot so the stem roots can anchor it.
- Removing the pollen as each flower opens keeps it longer and avoids stains.
- Deadhead only the flower and leave the stem and leaves until they yellow to build the bulb.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
