Lilium lancifolium (tiger lily) — Upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb

Overview

Lilium lancifolium is a upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb bulb in the genus Lilium, part of the Liliaceae family, with deciduous; narrow lance-shaped leaves, scattered or in whorls up the stem foliage. It typically grows around 1.2 m tall. Lilium lancifolium grows best in full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light, and tolerates deep humus-rich loam and or loam-based compost in pots soils and neutral to acid and though madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4-H6. Suggested uses include ornamental and cut flower. It is native to E China, Japan and Korea.

About

Lilium lancifolium is a bulbous perennial forming upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb and typically reaching about 1.2 m. It has narrow, lance-shaped leaves arranged either scattered or in whorls up the stem and is deciduous. In the UK it flowers from June to August. Wear gloves when handling the bulbs and note they are toxic to pets, particularly cats.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lilium lancifolium

About the genus

Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large and often prominent flowers. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. Most species are native to the Northern Hemisphere and their range is temperate climates and extends into the subtropics.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lilium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lilium

In the garden

A member of the lily family (Liliaceae), Lilium lancifolium comes from east China, Japan and Korea and grows from a scaly bulb to roughly 1.2 m. The plant carries narrow, lance-shaped leaves along its single stems and is cultivated widely as an ornamental and for use as a cut flower. Flowering occurs in the UK between June and August. Plant into a deep, humus-rich loam in the ground or a loam-based compost in pots; the bulb prefers moisture that is consistently moist but sharply drained, as bulbs will rot in stagnant wet. Position the clump in full sun while keeping the roots shaded or in dappled light, and choose a south-, west- or east-facing site that is sheltered from the worst wind. The hardiness range H4–H6 (average to very hardy) means it will survive most UK gardens if given a protected spot during severe winters. Use Lilium lancifolium at the back of a mixed herbaceous border or in containers for summer display, and cut stems for vases during the June–August season. Handle bulbs with gloves and keep them away from pets, especially cats, which can be poisoned if they eat plant material.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Lilium

Sunlight: Full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light
Soil type: Deep humus-rich loam, or loam-based compost in pots
Soil pH: Neutral to acid, though Madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime
Soil moisture: Moist but sharply drained - bulbs rot in stagnant wet
Aspect: South, west or east facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H4-H6

Plant details

Lilium lancifolium size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Bulb
Habit: Upright unbranched stems from a scaly bulb
Foliage: Deciduous; narrow lance-shaped leaves, scattered or in whorls up the stem
Height: 1.2 m
Suggested uses: ornamental, cut flower
Native to: E China, Japan, Korea
Toxicity: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Lilium lancifolium

Cultivation: Plant bulbs deeply, at roughly three times their own depth, on a layer of grit so water drains away from the scales; the exception is Lilium candidum, which sits just below the surface. Feed while in growth and let the stem die down naturally afterwards so the bulb can rebuild. Container growing gives the sharp drainage most lilies want and makes lily beetle far easier to police.
Pruning: Remove faded flowers to stop seed forming, but leave the stem and foliage until it has yellowed completely, then cut to the base.
Propagation: Detach offset bulbs or individual scales when dormant and grow them on in a cold frame. Species can be raised from seed, though flowering may take three to five years.
Pest resistance: Scarlet lily beetle is the serious pest and will strip a plant if unchecked - adults and larvae both need removing on sight. Slugs damage emerging shoots.
Disease resistance: Botrytis marks the foliage in wet summers. Virus, spread by aphids, causes streaked and distorted growth and cannot be cured.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Lilium lancifolium?

Plant bulbs deeply, at roughly three times their own depth, on a layer of grit so water drains away from the scales; the exception is Lilium candidum, which sits just below the surface. Feed while in growth and let the stem die down naturally afterwards so the bulb can rebuild. Container growing gives the sharp drainage most lilies want and makes lily beetle far easier to police.

Where is the best place to plant Lilium lancifolium?

Lilium lancifolium prefers full sun with the roots in shade; some species prefer dappled light. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Lilium lancifolium need?

Lilium lancifolium grows best in deep humus-rich loam and or loam-based compost in pots soil. It prefers neutral to acid and though madonna and trumpet lilies tolerate lime soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but sharply drained - bulbs rot in stagnant wet.

How do I prune Lilium lancifolium?

Remove faded flowers to stop seed forming, but leave the stem and foliage until it has yellowed completely, then cut to the base.

How big does Lilium lancifolium grow?

Lilium lancifolium reaches a height of 1.2 m.

Is Lilium lancifolium hardy in the UK?

Lilium lancifolium has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.

How do I propagate Lilium lancifolium?

Detach offset bulbs or individual scales when dormant and grow them on in a cold frame. Species can be raised from seed, though flowering may take three to five years.

Is Lilium lancifolium toxic?

Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers.

More in the Lilium genus

Browse all Lilium →