In this article, we’ll explore the various methods of propagating lilies, as well as the tools and materials needed for successful propagation. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions about planting lily bulbs.

How Do I Propagate Lilies?

The method of propagation involves generating new plants from older ones. There are several ways to propagate lilies, including through bulbs, water, seeds, and leaves.

The method you choose will depend on your resources and personal preference.

What Are the Different Ways to Propagate Lilies?

Here are some of the methods you can follow to propagate lilies: 

Division

Divide the bulbs between the fall and early spring when they are dormant.

Dig up the bulb clump gently and separate the bulbs by pulling them apart. Replant the bulbs in well-draining soil with the pointed end facing up.

Bulbils

Some lily species produce small bulbils along the stem. These can be removed and planted in a pot with well-draining soil.

Keep the soil moist and provide indirect sunlight until the bulbils develop roots and shoots.

Stem cutting

Take a stem cutting in the spring or summer and remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem.

Plant it in the ground after dipping the cut end in a rooting hormone. Keep the soil well watered and shaded until the cutting sprouts.

Scaling

This method involves removing scales from the bulb and planting them in a pot with well-draining soil. Cover the scales with soil and keep the soil moist.

Once you notice the scales developing, transplant them to a larger pot or into the ground.

How Do I Propagate Lilies From Water?

You can’t propagate lilies from water alone as they require soil to grow and develop properly. However, you can root lily cuttings in water before transferring them to the soil for further growth.

To propagate lilies from water, follow these steps:

1. Take a stem cutting from a healthy lily plant in the spring or summer. Use a sharp knife to make a clean cut below a leaf node.
2. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the stem, leaving only a few leaves at the top.
3. Put the cutting in a water-filled container or vase. Ensure that the water level covers only the bottom portion of the stem and not the leaves.
4. Place the jar in a bright, indirect light location but away from direct sunlight.
5. Change the water in the jar every few days to keep it clean and fresh.
6. Wait for the roots to develop from the bottom of the stem, which usually takes a few weeks.
7. Once the roots have developed, transfer the cutting to a pot with well-draining soil.
8. Water the soil and place the pot in a bright location with indirect sunlight.
9. Continue to care for the lily plant as it grows, providing appropriate water and sunlight to ensure its healthy growth.

Lily cuttings may not always root successfully in water, so be patient and keep trying until you succeed.

Additionally, once the cuttings develop roots and get transferred to the soil, it may take some time for the plant to grow and bloom.

The time it takes for a propagated lily to grow and bloom can vary depending on various factors, such as the species and environmental conditions.

Generally, lilies grown from cuttings can take several months to a year or more to produce blooms, depending on the conditions in which they are grown.

How Do I Propagate Lilies From Seeds?

Propagation through seeds can be rewarding but requires patience and attention. Begin by collecting mature lily seed pods and breaking them open to extract the seeds. Soak the seeds in warm water for a day, then plant them in well-draining soil.

Place the container in a warm, sunny area and keep the soil moist but not soggy. It can take up to a year for the seeds to germinate and grow into mature plants.

How Do I Propagate Lilies From Leaf?

Propagation through leaf cuttings is the least common method but can be a fun experiment. Begin by selecting a healthy lily leaf and cutting it into sections, ensuring each section has a vein.

Place the leaf sections in a pot with the soil. Roots should begin to form in a few weeks, and you can then transfer the leaf cuttings to the planting pots. 

What Do I Need For Lily Propagation?

The tools and materials you need for lily propagation will vary depending on your method of choice. You’ll need a clean vase and clean water for water propagation.

As for seed propagation, you’ll need well-draining soil, a pot, and mature lily seed pods. Finally, for leaf propagation, you’ll need a healthy lily leaf, a planting pot, and well-draining soil.

How Long Does It Take To Propagate Lilies?

The time it takes to propagate lilies will also depend on the method of choice. Water propagation can take a few weeks, while seed propagation can take up to a year.

Timeline of Propagation For Lilies

Water Propagation: 2–3 weeks

Seed propagation: up to 1 year

Leaf propagation: a few weeks to a few months

FAQs

What are lily bulbs?

Lily bulbs are the underground storage structures of lily plants. They are used for asexual reproduction and are a common way to propagate lilies.

How to plant lily bulbs?

Choose a sunny or partially shaded location. Grab a pot and fill it with organic matter (soil), and dig a hole three times the height of the bulbs. Then place the bulb in the hole, and make the pointed end up.

Then you should apply mulch and fertilizer during the growing phase. Ensure that the soil is moist but not stagnant. 

Conclusion

Taking care of a lily plant or growing it from scratch (the seed) is a process that takes a lot of time, patience, and education.

But with the proper knowledge and a little effort, you can create a stunning display of beautiful lilies that will brighten up any space.

The post Guide to Propagating Lilies appeared first on Garden and Plant Care.

While these plants are low maintenance, they do have specific requirements to thrive. That’s especially true when it comes to the growing medium.

So, if you’re wondering how to make your own lily soil, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the growing conditions. 

We’ll also cover the benefits of making your own soil at home. 

Why Make Your Own Liliaceae Plant Soil?

To grow a lily, you’re going to need the proper soil. Luckily, there are many excellent growing medium options online.

At this point, you may wonder, if there are great soil alternatives, what’s the point of making my own? Well, there are a few reasons why it’s best to use homemade growing mediums. 

First off, they’re much more customizable. This means you can tweak the recipe to handle all kinds of weather conditions.

Other than that, when you make your own soil, you’ll ensure that all the necessary nutrients are present. That way, you’ll guarantee the lilies will grow healthy.

Finally, pre-packaged soil can sometimes contain preservative chemicals. These stop bacteria and other harmful organisms from growing. 

Sadly, this can also affect the growth rate of your flowers. So, making a custom soil blend will eliminate the chances of that happening.

What Are the Characteristics of Lily Soil?

When it comes to soil, there are three factors that you should keep an eye on. These include drainage, soil pH, and nutrient availability.

Well-Drained Soil

The drainage aspect will deal with the porosity of the soil. This is the growing medium’s ability to retain water.

Typically, lilies need a well-drained environment to thrive. To figure out how to create that, we have to look at the different types of soil. These are loamy, sandy, silt, and clay. 

Sandy soil is the most porous, which means it doesn’t hold water well. This may result in a dry environment, which isn’t ideal.

On the other hand, clay is the least porous, and gets waterlogged easily. That’ll make for a particularly damp growing medium. Sadly, this may lead to root rot.

So, for the best results, it’s a good idea to find a compromise between the two. That’s when loamy soil comes into play. 

It’s a mixture of sand and clay that produces the perfect growing medium. You can also rely on silt if you live in a cold area.

Acidic Soil

Lilies prefer to grow in an acidic environment. Typically, a pH of around 6 to 6.5 should do the trick. 

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to tell the pH of the soil with the naked eye. For that reason, you’ll need to use a pH meter. 

Then, you can add certain chemicals to reach the desired level of acidity. 

Rich Soil

With the acidity and drainage of the soil out of the way, we can focus on nutritional content. To allow lilies to grow healthy, you need to use soil that’s rich in organic materials.

This includes compost matter and other additive fertilizers. As a general rule, lilies require about a tablespoon of fertilizer every two weeks. 

What Do Lilies Need?

We talked about the characteristics of lily soil. Now, we can dive into what the flowers need to survive. 

First off, when it comes to sunlight, the more the better. Lilies need full, bright light to grow. Generally, about six hours of sun a day should be sufficient. 

Other than that, the flowers will require three nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. 

Nitrogen is one of the key ingredients in amino acids, which plants need to produce new proteins.

Moving on, phosphorus promotes the growth of healthy roots. That makes it essential for anchoring lilies and making sure they get enough water.

Finally, potassium aids with the transportation of water and nutrients inside the flowers. So, without it, the plants will starve and wilt.

What Do You Need to Make the Best Lily Soil?

Before we jump into how to assemble the perfect soil for lilies, it’s best to gather your materials. This will make the process of creating the growing medium much easier. 

Plus, it’ll reduce the chances of dragging soil through your home.

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to start the process:

• River sand
• Pea gravel
• Clay soil
• Small garden shovel
• Organic materials (dead leaves or manure)
• Bucket
• 10:10:10 fertilizer
• Water
• Gardening gloves (optional)
• pH meter (optional)

Most of these ingredients are easy to come by. For example, you can forage in your backyard for dead plant materials.

However, other components like river sand and pea gravel are harder to find. If you don’t live by a large water source, it’s easier to purchase them online. 

Finally, a pH meter isn’t necessary, but it’ll make the process of perfecting the soil simpler. 

How to Make Your Own Liliaceae Plant Soil?

Now that all your ingredients are ready, we can begin making lily soil.

Mix the Base

The first step of the process is mixing your base components. That includes sand, gravel, and clay.

To start off, add equal parts of clay and sand to the bucket. Then, using your shovel, mix them together for about a minute or so, until they form a uniform blend. 

At this point, it may be a good idea to test the soil. To do that, pick up a handful of the growing medium and squeeze it tightly in your hand. 

If the mixture forms a stiff clump, then you’ll need to add more soil. On the other hand, if the soil is too loose, then adding a little clay should fix the issue. 

Add Gravel

After that, sprinkle in some gravel as you mix the growing medium. You want to keep doing that until you can see small specs of tiny rocks in the soil.

Once that’s done, you can focus on the second round of tests. This time, you’ll need water to carry out the experiments.

Fill up a small planting pot with your soil mixture. Then, add water until all the growing medium is damp.

Next, wait about an hour for the liquid to make its way through the soil. By the end of this period, the top two inches of the medium should be dry. 

If not, you may have to add more gravel to increase the porosity of the soil.

Fertilize the Soil

When you’re done with the second test, the growing medium should be ready to use. All that’s left is adding compost material and fertilizer.

As you add these components, check the pH of the soil continuously. Once it hits the 6 or 6.5 marker, you can plant your lilies. 

How to Store Your Leftover Liliaceae Plant Soil?

Over time, your growing medium will lose some of its nutritional value. So, to ensure your soil mixture lasts for a long time, you’ll need to store it properly. 

For that, you’ll need an air-tight container. 

Next, the process is as simple as filling up the vessel to the brim and covering it up. You can even add a layer of cling film on top of the soil before placing the lid.

This will improve the air-tight seal. On top of that, it’ll stop the soil from spilling all over the place when you need to use it next. 

What Are the Benefits of Making Your Own Potting Mix for Lilies?

There are quite a few benefits to mixing your own lily soil. First up, as we mentioned, you’ll be able to customize the growing medium as you like. 

Because of that, you’ll have a better chance of growing healthy lilies. 

Other than that, you can choose how much soil to make at a time. Since the growing medium will lose some of its potency, this can be a major help.

That way, you won’t waste any of your precious resources.

Lastly, lilies are incredibly sensitive to moisture. Any excess water can cause the roots to soften and break down. So, if you use store-bought soil, you risk damaging your plant. 

FAQs

How Much Soil Do Lilies Need?

Lilies don’t need a lot of space to spread out. That means a medium to large planting pot should do the trick.

Although, if you plan on planting the flowers in a garden bed, then you have to make some considerations. For example, the soil needs to be at least 12 inches deep for the lilies to thrive. 

How Do You Increase the Acidity of Soil?

To alter the pH of the soil, you can use a buffer solution. However, you can also use fertilizers, which are acidic most of the time.

Wrapping Up

Figuring out how to make your own lily soil can be a little challenging. You should start the process by gathering all the necessary materials. 

Then, mix equal parts of sand and clay to create a base for the growing medium. Next, add a sprinkle of gravel to improve the porosity of the soil.

Finally, using compost matter and fertilizers enhances the nutritional value of the medium. Once that’s done, you’re ready to plant your lilies. 

It’s also good to remember that you can store any excess soil in an air-tight container. 

The post How to Make Your Own Lily Soil appeared first on Garden and Plant Care.

Pruning helps maintain your lily and encourages the growth of new blooms. 

In this article, we’ll explore the various aspects of pruning lilies, including why you need to prune them and how to cut them back.

Pruning and Trimming: The Difference

Pruning and trimming lilies are two different techniques used to maintain and care for the plant.

Pruning involves removing entire branches or stems from the plant to control its size or shape. In lilies, pruning may involve cutting back the stem after the flowers finish blooming or cutting back damaged or diseased branches to promote new growth.

On the other hand, trimming is used to shape and tidy up the plant’s appearance by removing small sections. Trimming may include removing spent flowers, yellowing leaves, or cutting the tips of stems to encourage branching.

Do Lilies Need Pruning?

Yes, lilies require pruning to maintain their health and encourage new growth. Pruning helps remove any dead or damaged parts of the plant, which can attract pests and diseases.

It also helps stimulate the growth of new blooms and keeps the plant looking tidy.

How to Prune Lilies?

Pruning lilies is a straightforward process that you can do using a few simple tools. Here are the steps to follow:

Wait Until The Blooms Have Faded

It’s essential to wait until the blooms have faded and the petals have fallen off before trimming the plant. This allows the plant to redirect its energy toward new growth.

Identify The Stems to be Trimmed

Look for stems that have finished blooming or those that are dead or damaged. These are the stems that need to be taken care of and trimmed.

Cut The Stem

Grab a pair of pruning shears, and cut the stem about an inch above the soil level. Make sure to cut at an angle to prevent water from accumulating on the cut surface, which can lead to rot.

Dispose of The Trimmed Stems

Collect the trimmed stems and dispose of them in the compost bin.

FAQs

Can I Prune my Lilies in The Spring?

No, it’s not advised to prune lilies in the spring, as this can damage emerging growth.

Doing so may hinder the plant’s flowering during the current growing season, and you may have to wait until the following year to see blooms.

Can I use regular scissors to prune my lilies?

No, you shouldn’t use regular scissors to prune lilies. Scissors aren’t suitable for the task because they have straight blades that crush and tear plant tissue instead of making clean cuts.

Instead, use pruning shears as they provide a smoother cut. This will lead to faster healing and reduces disease and infection risks.

Conclusion

Pruning lilies is an essential step in their care routine. It helps maintain their health and appearance.

It’s important to wait until the proper pruning time and use the proper tools for the job. 

The post Pruning Lilies appeared first on Garden and Plant Care.

Well, lilies can be the answer to all those needs!

While you get to pick from an incredibly wide variety of species, the massive range of options can be confusing. 

This is where today’s article comes in!

Keep reading to find out about the different types of lilies, how they’re classified, which ones are the easiest to grow, which species are the most popular, and a lot more. Let’s jump in!

How Many Species of Lilies Are There?

There are about 100 different species of lilies out there, categorized into 9 divisions for easier tracking as follows:

• Asiatic Hybrids: Division 1
• Martagon Hybrids: Division 2
• Candidum Hybrids: Division 3
• American Hybrids: Division 4
• Longiflorum Hybrids: Division 5
• Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids: Division 6
• Oriental Hybrids: Division 7
• Interdivisional Hybrids: Division 8
• Wild Species: Division 9

1. Fire Lily

Names

The Fire Lily is botanically known as Lilium bulbiferum. Other common names for this flower are Orange Lily, Jimmy’s Bane, Tiger Lily, St. John’s Lily, and Flame Lily. 

Classification-wise, the Fire Lily belongs to the 9th Division: Wild Lilies.

Description and characteristics

Native to the mountains of Europe, the Fire Lily lives up to its name with bright blooms of a vibrant tangerine orange shade. 

Each flower features an open bowl outline and the petals display lovely chocolate-colored freckles.

The Fire Lily is on the smaller side, growing up to 4 feet tall in USDA zones 3 to 9. It’s pleasantly fragrant and easy to propagate thanks to the many bulbils present between the leaf and the stem.

How to care

Despite its showy appearance, the Fire Lily doesn’t need much maintenance to thrive. It prefers full to partial sun exposure, has average water needs, and isn’t at all picky about the type or pH of the soil you plant it in.

That said, the Fire Lily does best in well-drained soil that’s kept constantly moist and enriched with well-decomposed organic matter or leaf mold.

Don’t forget to regularly check for attacks by gray mold, aphids, lily beetles, vine weevils, and slugs.

2. Golden-Rayed Lily

Names

The Golden-Rayed Lily is known in the botanical scene as Lilium auratum. Other common names for this flower include the Goldband Lily and Mountain Lily.

As for the classification, the Golden-Rayed Lily is a wild lily of Division 9.

Description and characteristics 

Native to Japan, the Golden-Rayed Lily is a sight to behold.

Blooming in late summer, this flower produces white petals with a sunny yellow stripe down the middle, creating a gorgeous star outline. Each petal also possesses dark or light pink spots that add to the plant’s striking beauty.

The Golden-Rayed Lily grows up to 4 feet high in USDA zones 5 to 10. They give off a very nice scent that’ll lure you into spending as much time as possible near them.

How to care

Requiring little maintenance, the Golden-Rayed Lily thrives in full sun and can also tolerate light shade during the afternoon in hot climates.

There’s no need to worry about the soil conditions; you can plant this flower in well-drained chalky, sandy, loamy, or clay soil with an acidic or neutral pH. However, you need to make sure the soil stays adequately moist at all times.

3. Canada Lily

Names

The Canada Lily is scientifically known as Lilium canadense. Other common names for this flower are the Wild Yellow Lily, Meadow Lily, Bitter Root, Canadian Martagon, Yellow Bell Lily, and Field Lily.

The Canadian Lily is a wild species of lilies, so it’s categorized under Division 9.

Description and characteristics 

The Canada Lily plant produces trumpet-like blooms with a dainty outline. The petals are orange with brown freckles and possess pointed tips that extend out and up.

The cheerful appearance of these lilies hits its peak in June and July, growing to reach 6 feet tall in USDA zones 3 to 9.

Native to Canada, this lily doesn’t germinate from the top of the bulb like most lilies. Instead, it forms shoots from the base of the blub, and then new bulbs rise at the end of those shoots moving toward the surface.

How to care

The Canada Lily does best with deep watering at least once per week. It’s a low-maintenance plant once established, given that you provide sandy or loamy soil where the pH is acidic to neutral. 

Light-wise, this flower thrives in full sun for optimal flowering. It can also grow well in partial shade.

4. Easter Lily

Names

Lilium longiflorum is the botanical name of the Easter Lily. This flower is also commonly called the White Trumpet Lily, November Lily, Trumpet Lily, and Bermuda Lily.

The Easter Lily’s genetic composition and hybridization history categorizes it as a wild species of Division 9.

Description and characteristics 

Elegant and delicate, the Easter Lily produces classic trumpet-shaped blooms with evident yellow anthers. The petals are mostly a pure white color, with a bit of pale green toward the center of the flower.

The Easter Lily is behind some of the most popular lily hybrids such as White Heaven and White American. Heavily scented, it grows in USDA zones 5 to 8, blooming in late summer and growing up to 4 feet tall.

How to care

This flower is easy to maintain. It thrives in full sun to part shade and doesn’t need a particular type of soil as long as it’s well-drained, neutral to alkaline, and loaded with organic matter.

Watering-wise, you just need to avoid letting the soil completely dry out. Never overwater your Easter Lily and keep an eye out for aphids, stem rot, and gray mold.

5. Oriental/Japanese Lily

Names

The scientific name of the Oriental Lily is Lilium speciosum. This flower also has other common names such as Showy Lily, Red Orchid Lily, and Red Japanese Lily.

The Oriental Lily, similar to the previous species, is part of the 9th Division of parent lilies.

Description and characteristics

Right from the first glance, you’ll know why so many people seek to add the Oriental Lily to the garden — it’s simply dazzling!

Hailing from Japan, this flower typically blooms in early fall, unlike most other species of lilies.

Taking the shape of a pendant, these blossoms are either a blush pink shade or a white color. They possess dark pink freckles along with raised bumps (papillae).

Pleasantly fragrant, the Oriental Lily grows in USDA zones 5 to 7, reaching a height of 4 to 5 feet.

How to care

To ensure optimal flowering, keep your Showy Lily exposed to indirect sunlight for at least 4 to 6 hours.

Any type of loose soil with an acidic to neutral pH level is suitable for this flower. But make sure it’s well-drained and rich in organic fertilizer.

During the seedling phase, frequent watering is required. After that, you don’t need to water often; just enough to keep the soil moist. 

6. Henry’s Lily

Names

The botanical name of Henry’s Lily is Lilium henryi. This flower also goes by other common such as Tiger Lily and Trumpet Lily.

Henry’s Lily is a wild species, so it belongs to the 9th Division.

Description and characteristics 

While Henry’s Lily doesn’t offer a fragrance, it more than makes up for it with showy blooms in a striking tropical orange color.

The petals feature patches of red bumps and a Turk’s Cap outline that bends back to almost touch the stalk. They can grow as tall as 8 feet in USDA zones 5 to 8.

How to care

Henry’s Lily is a low-maintenance plant with average water needs. It grows best in moist soil and will endure severe damage if the soil is left to dry out completely.

Although it can tolerate full sun exposure, this flower thrives in partial shade. It’s not fussy about the type of soil, but it prefers a loose, slightly alkaline medium with plenty of organic matter.

Additionally, Henry’s Lily is very resistant to diseases.

7. Tiger Lily

Names

The Tiger Lily is botanically known as Lilium tigrinum or Lilium lancifolium. You can also hear it commonly called the Leopard Lily, Chalisa-cup Lily, Oregon Lily, and Columbia Lily.

As a member of Division 9, the Tiger Lily is a wild species of lily.

Description and characteristics 

Originally from Asia, the Tiger Lily is now a natural occurrence across the United States, especially in the New England area.

This flower gets its name from the dark, purple-black spots spread all over the peachy orange petals that bend backward to come in contact with the stalk’s base.

This plant also possesses very dark stems that contrast beautifully against the bright orange blossoms.

Fragrant-less, the Tiger Lily blooms during the summer and grows in USDA zones 3 to 9. It can grow as tall as 5 feet.

How to care

Similar to most wild lilies on today’s list, the disease-resistant Tiger Lily is low maintenance. It can thrive in any type of soil at acidic or alkaline pH levels as long as it’s well-drained.

Watering should be done at least once a keep, making sure that the soil never dries out completely.

As for light requirements, the Tiger Lily enjoys both full sun and partial shade.

8. Leopard Lily

Names

The Leopard Lily is known in the botanical language as the Lilium pardalinum. Other common names for this flower are the Panther Lily, California Tiger Lily, Vollmer’s Lily, Vollmer’s Lily, Wiggins’ Lily, and Pitkin Marsh Lily.

The Leopard Lily is one of the parent lily species, which means it’s part of Division 9.

Description and characteristics 

This woodland species of lily produces blooms in a stunning orange-red shade that becomes a golden yellow at the center. The petals display dark spots that grant the flower its common name.

Native to North America, particularly from Oregon to California (the pacific coast area), the Leopard Lily resembles a small lantern dangling from an elongated stalk.

Giving off a pleasant scent, this flower grows in USDA zones 5 to 9 and can reach a height of up to 6 feet.

How to care

The Leopard Lily prefers full sun to partial shade and can adapt to any type of soil given that it’s well-drained, moist, and rich in organic matter.

It’s prone to attacks by gray mold, aphids, lily beetles, vine weevils, and slugs, so remember to regularly check the plant for unhealthy signs.

9. Madonna Lily

Names

The scientific name of the Madonna Lily is Lilium Candidum. This flower is also commonly referred to as the White Lily, Juno’s Rose, French Lily, Ascension Lily, St Joseph’s Lily, Bourbon Lily, and Annunciation Lily.

Occurring naturally in the wild, the Madonna Lily is categorized under Division 9.

Description and characteristics 

The Madonna Lily is one of the oldest species among all lilies, dating back to the times before Christianity.

This plant produces blooms in a crisp, white shade with large, broad petals. The bright yellow anthers sometimes neighbor a light green at the flower’s center.

Madonna Lilies blossom in the summer and give off a heavenly fragrance. They grow in USDA zones 6 to 9, reaching a height of up to 5 feet.

How to care

The beautiful Madonna Lily is a hassle-free plant maintenance-wise. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and doesn’t need frequent watering.

A well-drained soil that’s enriched with humus and always moist will keep this flower happy regardless of the soil type.

When planting the Madonna Lily, make sure that the bulb’s nose is covered by 1 inch of soil.

10. Martagon Lily

Names

The Martagon Lily is botanically known as the Lilium martagon. Its other common names include Turk’s Cap Lilies and Mountain Lilies.

Found in the wild, Martagon Lily is the last member of Division 9 on today’s list.

Description and characteristics 

The Martagon Lily plant blooms in sparse, green foliage and abundant, soft purple flowers that also exist in pink and pure white shades.

The pendant-like blossoms have the outline of a Turk’s Cap (which is the inspiration behind its common name) with the petals curving down and then back up to touch the flower’s base.

Highly fragrant, this lily grows as tall as 6 feet in USDA zone 5 to 8.

How to care

Like its fellow members of Division 9, the Martagon Lily prefers full to partial sun. It’s not picky about the type of soil, but it needs to be well-drained and constantly moist.

11. Elodie Lily

Names

Botanically known as Lilium ‘Elodie’, this lily species belongs to the Division 1 of the Asiatic hybrids.

Description and characteristics

This type of lily blooms with a double row of petals in a pretty shade of light pink. These showy blossoms are trumpet-shaped and adorned with raspberry-colored freckles.

The Elodie Lily plant is on the smaller side, growing to a maximum height of 4 feet in USDA zones 4 to 8.

Fantastic for cutting, these 5 to 6-inch flowers are pollen-free, so they’re ideal for bouquets and arrangements.

How to care

Elodie lilies thrive in full sun to partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. It’s not picky about the type or pH of the soil as long as there’s no standing water.

12. Enchantment Lily

Names

Known botanically as Lilium ‘Enchantment’, this lily species is part of Division 1 of the Asiatic hybrids.

Description and characteristics 

The Enchantment Lily produces magnificent blooms of intense orange petals and a faint dusting of brown freckles.

Flowering in the summer, this type of lily is a bit small with a maximum height of 4 feet. It grows in USDA zones 4 to 8.

This lily doesn’t typically have a fragrance, but they’re easy to reproduce thanks to the bulbils that form on the apex of each stem leaf.

How to care

The Enchantment Lily does best in full sun. It prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

13. Connecticut King Lily

Names

Botanically referred to as Lilium ‘Connecticut King’ and commonly called the Asiatic Lily, this lily species is categorized under Division 1 of the Asiatic hybrids.

Description and characteristics

The Connecticut King Lily produces spectacular blooms with buttercup yellow petals that turn golden at the center. These 4 to 6-inch wide flowers don’t have spots.

Blossoming in June, this lily plant is small. It grows to a maximum height of 3 feet in USDA zones 4 to 8.

This Connecticut King Lily doesn’t usually have a fragrance, but it looks amazingly cheerful in any setting.

How to care

This is a low-maintenance lily species with medium water needs and a knack for full sun to partial shade. Avoid dry soil and keep an eye out for aphids, botrytis, and bulb rot.

14. Roma Lily

Names

Known as Lilium ‘Roma’ in the botanical scene, this lily species is a member of Division 1: the Asiatic hybrids.

Description and characteristics 

The Roma Lily produces dramatic blooms that start as pink buds and develop into large white or creamy blossoms.

The trumpet-shaped petals are decorated with a few brown freckles near the base. The brown anthers give it a vanilla-like look.

Flowering in early summer (a bit later than other lilies of Division 1), this plant grows to a maximum height of 4 feet in USDA zones 3 to 9.

The Roma Lily is usually non-fragrant, but it’s excellent for cutting and mass planting.

How to care

This lily species thrives in full to partial sun. Regardless of the type or pH of the soil, it should always be moist and never with standing water.

15. Orange Pixie Lily

Names

Botanically referred to as Lilium ‘Orange Pixie’, this lily species belongs to Division 1 of the Asiatic hybrids. It’s a dwarf hybrid of the Pixie series lilies.

Description and characteristics 

Orange Pixie lilies produce astonishing blooms with vibrant fiery orange petals and dark green strappy leaves. The large flower faces up and out with a funnel-shaped outline.

Flowering earlier than most members of Division 1, this dwarf lily blossoms from June to August. It grows to a maximum height of 1.5 feet in USDA zones 2 to 9.

Typically non-fragrant, this type of lily is perfect for containers, pots, and cutting.

How to care

The Orange Pixie Lily does best in full sun to partial shade. Chalky, sandy, or loamy soil is suitable as long as it’s well-drained, constantly moist, and enriched with well-rotted organic matter.

It may be prone to lily disease, aphids, lily beetles, thrips, and gray mold.

16. Denia Pixie Lily

Names

Also known as Lilium ‘Denia Pixie’, this lily species is one of the members of Division 1; the Asiatic hybrids. Like the Orange Pixie Lily, this is a dwarf hybrid of the Pixie series lilies.

Description and characteristics

A little less loud than Orange Pixie, the Denia Pixie plant produces lovely blooms of pale pink petals and yellow centers. The oversized trumpet-shaped flower features sprinkles of burgundy spots for extra personality.

Blossoming earlier than most members of Division 1, this dwarf lily grows to a maximum height of 1.5 feet in USDA zones 3 to 8.

Normally non-fragrant, this type of lily looks awesome for cutting, edging, and low borders.

How to care

The Denia Pixie Lily enjoys full sun to partial shade. It’s fine with any soil type or pH as long as it’s well-drained and never completely dry.

17. Marhan Lily

Names

Botanically known as Lilium X Dalhansonii, the Marhan Lily belongs to Division 2 consisting of Martagon-type Hybrids. It’s been around for over a century and shows off features from both parent lilies: Lilium martagon and Lilium hansonii.

Description and characteristics

The Marhan Lily blooms into honey or salmon-colored petals with dense brown freckles for an overall sultry appearance.

While the petals do curve backward to try and touch the base, they don’t bend as intensely as the parent lilies.

Flowering in early summer, this species can grow as high as 6 feet in USDA zones 3 to 7. 

How to care

The Marhan Lily is low maintenance. It thrives in partial sun to slight shade and isn’t particular about the soil type given that it has good drainage.

18. Nankeen Lily

Names

Known as Lilium x Testaceum in the botanical scene and commonly as the buff-colored lily, this lily species belongs to Division 3 consisting of Candidum Hybrids.

It’s the result of crossing Lilium chalcedonicum (scarlet Turk’s Cap) and Lilium Candidum.

Description and characteristics

As we mentioned earlier, the Madonna Lily is one of the oldest species among all lilies. It dates back to the times before Christianity; that’s at least 4,000 years old!

The Madonna plant produces flowers with large, broad petals of crisp, white color. They feature bright yellow anthers and -sometimes- a light green center.

Despite its fame, not many cultivars have been made using the Madonna Lily. The only known hybrid is the Lilium x Testaceum.

The Nankeen Lily is a rare sight, but it looks pretty much the same as the Madonna only with a salmon-cream color. Showy and fragrant, this bloom ranges from 3 to 4 inches wide, whereas the plant can reach as high as 5 feet.

How to care

If you manage to get your hands on a Nankeen Lily, provide full sun exposure and well-drained soil with average watering frequency. Expect blooming during late spring or early summer.

19. Bellingham Lily

Names

Botanically known as Lilium ‘Bellingham’, this lily species belongs to Division 4 consisting of hybrids of North American wild lilies. Like most flowers of this class, it comes from Lilium pardalinum (the Leopard Lily).

Description and characteristics

The Bellingham Lily plant produces blooms in a wide range of vibrant, warm shades of orange, red, maroon, yellow, and burgundy. The petals are adorned with black and brown spots.

This vigorous plant can reach a height of up to 6 feet, forming tall spikes with green leaf whorls covering them. They blossom in midsummer, finding appropriate conditions in USDA zones 4 to 8.

How to care

The Bellingham Lily doesn’t require much maintenance. It thrives in full sun and can tolerate some shade.

Soil-wise, loam or sand is a suitable medium as long as drainage is efficient. Keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering.

20. Cherrywood Lily

Names

Scientifically known as Lilium ‘Cherrywood’, this type of lily is a member of Division 4 since it’s a hybrid of a North American wild lily. Its parent is the Leopard Lily (Lilium pardalinum).

Description and characteristics 

The Cherrywood Lily plant produces flowers in a gorgeous, fiery shade of blood orange with rich red at the tips of the petals and a lighter tangerine shade at the center. The petals also feature red freckles for extra showiness.

Similar to the Bellingham Lily, this long-lasting plant can reach a height of up to 5 or 6 feet. It forms tall spikes with deep green leaf whorls all over.

The Cherrywood Lily blossoms in midsummer, preferring growth conditions of USDA zones 4 to 8.

How to care

Like the Bellingham Lily, the Cherrywood hybrid is low maintenance. It enjoys full sunlight and hot temperatures.

It needs well-drained soil regardless of the type and pH. Its delicate rhizomatous bulbs require extra care when moving.

21. White American Lily

Names

Botanically referred to as Lilium longiflorum ‘White American’, this species of lily is part of Division 5 consisting of Longiflorum Hybrids. Its parent is the popular Easter Lily, highly prized for having pure white flowers and an alluring fragrance.

Description and characteristics 

The White American Lily has a trumpet-shaped outline. It looks as pure as the Easter Lily, with oversized white blooms, dark yellow anthers, and pale green tips.

Compared to the extremely tender Easter Lily, the White American Lily is a lot sturdier and better at coping with environmental conditions. It can grow as tall as 4 feet in USDA zones 4 to 8, with upright stems showing off lance-like dark green leaves.

Blossoming in the summer, these lilies give off a sweet scent and make for great border plants.

How to care

The White American Lily does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers slightly alkaline, well-drained soil with consistent moisture and adequate fertilization. 

22. Golden Splendor Lily

Names

Next up is the Lilium ‘Golden Splendor’ as it’s botanically known. This type of lily belongs to Division 6, consisting of Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids.

Description and characteristics

The Golden Splendor Lily produces large 6-inch wide blooms with golden yellow petals.

The vibrant trumpet-shaped flowers are pale purple on the outside and possess brown antlers to tie the beautiful color scheme together.

Deliciously fragrant, each stem of this lily hybrid carries clusters of around 12 to 20 blossoms. The plant can grow as tall as 4 feet -typical for trumpet hybrids- in USDA zones 4 to 8.

Flowering in mid to late summer, the Golden Splendor Lily is excellent for cutting, containers, and borders.

How to care

The Golden Splendor Lily doesn’t need much to thrive. It can call any type of soil home as long as it’s well-drained and slightly alkaline.

This species does best in full sun or part shade. It tends to resist drought more efficiently than most other types of lilies.

23. Trumpet Lily

Names

Another member of the Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids Division 6 is Lilium ‘African Queen’, also referred to as the Trumpet Lily.

Description and characteristics

The Trumpet Lily produces large 8-inch wide blooms with zesty orange petals that curve out and slightly up.

The trumpet-shaped flowers feature pale purple patches on the outside paired with rust-brown antlers to create a fascinating tropical vibe.

Giving off a heavenly fragrance, each stem of this lily hybrid carries clusters of around 15 to 20 blossoms. The plant can reach a maximum height of 6 feet -taller than typical trumpet hybrids- in USDA zones 4 to 9.

Flowering between July and August, the Trumpet Lily is terrific for cutting, pots, and borders. It received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

How to care

The Trumpet Lily is a hassle-free plant when it comes to maintenance. It can adapt to any soil type or pH as long as it’s well-drained and kept moist.

This species grows best in full sun or part shade. It enjoys hot climates but can survive in a variety of temperatures.

24. Bright Star Lily

Names

Botanically known as Lilium ‘Bright Star’, this movie-inspired species of lily is part of Division 6 Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids. Its parents are  Lilium henryi and Lilium centifolium.

Description and characteristics

The Bright Star Lily produces dramatic blooms with a pink-orange color in the middle of the petals and white borders. This pattern results in a star-like look, which is where the flower got its name.

This flower also displays deep red spots and dark orange anthers that provide additional character. The outline of the flower is flatter compared to other members of Division 6.

Offering passersby a wonderful fragrance, the Bright Star Lily grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet in USDA zones 4 to 9. They bloom in late summer to early fall.

How to care

This lily hybrid prefers full sun to partial shade. It requires occasional watering and can do with any type of well-drained soil that’s kept moist.

25. Pink Perfection Group Lily

Names

Known as Lilium Pink Perfection Group in the botanical scene, this is the last flower from Division 6 on today’s list.

Description and characteristics

If you think you’ve seen a large lily bloom until now, the Pink Perfection Group Lily is even bigger!

It’s a massive 10-inch wide blossom with stunning pink and purple petals with dark pink freckles.

The centers are bright yellow with dark pink others and the tips are frosted in pure white for a show-stopping appearance!

Flowering in summer, this plant grows as tall as 6 feet in USDA zones 4 to 9.

How to care

The Pink Perfection Group Lily does best in full sun to partial shade. They like high temperatures and have no issues accepting any soil type or PH given that it has efficient drainage.

26. Dizzy Lily

Names

Botanically known as Lilium ‘Dizzy’, this species of lily belongs to Division 7 Oriental Hybrids.

Description and characteristics 

This plant produces gorgeous blooms where white, slightly ruffled petals are decorated with raspberry-colored stripes down the center and red freckles on both sides.

With a delightful scent, the Dizzy Lily blossoms during the summer in USDA zones 5 to 9.

How to care

This type of lily enjoys full and partial sunlight and slightly acidic, well-drained soil.

27. Casa Blanca Lily

Names

Another member of Division 7 is the Lilium Casa Blanca or White House Lily.

Description and characteristics

As the name implies, this flower possesses pure white petals without any freckles or patches. The anthers are deep orange whereas the center has a faint green hue.

Each stem produces around 6 to 8 of these heavily scented lilies. The plant grows to reach about 4 feet tall in USDA zones 4 to 9.

Blossoming in mid to late summer, the Casa Blanca Lily is fantastic for cutting and containers.

How to care

Keep this lily hybrid in full sun or part shade to thrive. You can choose any type of slightly acidic soil, but make sure it’s well-drained.

28. Black Beauty Lily

Names

Last but not least, the Lilium Black Beauty or the Orienpet Lily belongs to Division 8 consisting of Interdivisional Hybrids. 

Description and characteristics 

Unlike what their name suggests, the petals on these lilies have pale pink tips that turn into a dark crimson toward the center with narrow white edges. They also possess deep purple spikes for a more intriguing look.

This plant requires plenty of space as it can produce up to 150 flowers per bulb. It can reach 6 feet tall in USDA zones 4 to 9.

How to care

The Black Beauty Lily thrives in full sun and well-drained, moist soil.

What Are the Most Popular Lily Types?

The most popular lily types include the Easter Lily, Tiger Lily, Turk’s Cap, and Casa Blanca Lily.

Which Lillies Are the Easiest To Grow?

The easiest lilies to grow are those belonging to Division 1 Asiatic lilies such as the Orange Pixie Lily, Enchantment Lily, and Connecticut King Lily.

FAQS

What Do the Colors of Lilies Mean?

As you can tell by now, lilies come in a wide variety of shades and patterns. Each of these colors has a certain symbolism and knowing it helps you choose the appropriate flower shade for the occasion.

Here’s a quick summary of the most common colors in lilies and their meanings:

• White: this color represents purity, innocence, grace, modesty, and elegance. It’s a great choice for weddings and ceremonies.
• Red: this color embodies passion, romance, love, desire, and devotion. It’s a terrific option for anniversaries, date nights, and Valentine’s Day.
• Pink: light pink indicates femininity, generosity, admiration, and charm. It’s a fantastic choice for gifting loved ones, wedding arrangements, and Mother’s Day bouquets.

Dark pink represents abundance, prosperity, and ambition. It’s a fine option for formal ceremonies and well wishes.

• Purple: this color is a sign of mystery, wisdom, royalty, and success. It’s a wonderful choice for anniversaries, birthdays, and gratitude gestures.
• Yellow: this color symbolizes joy, cheerfulness, happiness, health, and appreciation. Such lilies make fantastic bouquets for birthdays, saying thank you, sending congratulations, or welcoming parties.
• Orange: this color represents enthusiasm, excitement, good fortune, vitality, wealth, and confidence. It’s a fabulous gift for graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings 

Wrapping It Up

Lilies are gorgeous flowers with striking patterns, vibrant hues, alluring scents, and intriguing outlines. They’re also easy to care for, so you don’t need much gardening experience to grow them!

As you can tell by now, there’s no shortage of options, and no matter what you pick, striking beauty is guaranteed!

The post 30 Fascinating Types of Lilies appeared first on Garden and Plant Care.

Liliaceae is the umbrella term for approximately 50 genera and 600 species belonging to the order Liliales. They’re a mix of perennial, herbaceous, monocotyledonous, and bulbous flowering plants.

Quick Summary

Liliaceae is a family that houses hundreds of species, one of which is lilies. Said plant has different shapes, sizes, and colors. 

Since their first appearance, lilies have become a staple in decorations like jewelry and paintings. On top of that, they’ve become popular with florists and gardeners alike because of their fragrance and beauty.

What Are True Lilies?

True Lilies are part of the genus Lilium. They grow from fleshy bulbs whose scales often overlap with each other. 

The stalk of true lilies grows at the center of the bulb. Plus, their roots emerge from a disk that you’ll often find at the bottom of the flower.

What Are Other Names?

Aside from true lilies, there are other names used for the different genera of Liliacea plants.

Blue bead lilies are flowering plants belonging to the genus Clintonia. They sport basal and cauline leaves. In addition, they produce berry-like fruits that often have a metallic blue to black tint.

On the other hand, there are globe lilies that belong to the Caochortus genus. They’re also flowering plants that have two series of tepals. The outer part is narrow and similar to a sepal, while the inner portion resembles petals.

Lastly, there are toad lilies, which are from the genus Tricytris. They’re herbaceous perennials whose stems are typically erect. Moreover, they have six tepals arranged into two layers: the outer part carries nectar-secreting pouches, while the inner has dorsal crests.

Where Are Lilies From?

According to a 2006 study, lilies are dominant in the Northern Hemisphere. Most species come from countries located in North America, Asia, and Europe. 

However, production of the said plant has begun in the Southern Hemisphere. As such, you can find them in countries like Chile, Australia, and South Africa.

With that said, lilies have already spread throughout the entire world. Countries producing the plant have already cultivated their own varieties, meaning they’re constantly evolving.

Liliaceae Family Description and Characteristics

You should know the physical description and characteristics to understand lilies and the Liliaceae family further.

What Is the Physical Description of Lilies?

True lilies have six tepal flowers that vary in shape. They can be funnel, bell, bowl, trumpet, or flat. In some plants, they’re entirely erect, while others are nodding.

The flowers they produce come in many colors except blue. It’s because the plants don’t naturally have the necessary pigment necessary to create the shade. 

What Are the Characteristics of Liliaceae?

The Liliaceae family are herbaceous perennial plants. It means that after they produce fruits and flowers, every part of their body dies except their roots.

It often happens during winter, as this is the time when they enter a dormancy period. However, they’ll burst back into life when spring comes.

When it comes to their roots, they’re typically fibrous. Their stems, on the other hand, are either underground or aerial. The former comes as a bulb, corm, or rhizome, while the latter is often a phylloclade.

Their leaves can be exstipulate, petiolate, or sessile. They vary in size and shape, depending on the species and genus. Moreover, they often have parallel venation.

Lastly, their flowers are trimerous and hypogynous. Trimerous means that they only have three petals. Hypogynous refers to the attachment of their stamens and perianth below the carpel, the plant’s female reproductive organ.

Popular Lilies

Below are some of the popular lilies that people like to grow in their gardens:

1. Easter Lily

An Eastern lily is one of the most well-known variants of the plant. It has a white, elongated, trumpet-shaped flower that blooms during Summer.

2. Stargazer

Stargazer lilies sport upward-facing flowers that have pink and white coloration. Their color combination highly resembles a red dragonfruit.

3. Tiger Lily

Tiger lilies have bell-shaped orange flowers with brown specks. This variety is popular due to its hardiness because it can survive extreme temperatures.

4. Elodie

Elodie lilies are unique because of their pink pastel color. They have semi-double blooms accompanied by raspberry-colored freckles.

5. Turk’s Cap

Turk’s cap, more popularly known as Martagon lilies, exhibits tall spikes with loads of small pagoda-shaped flowers. The petals are usually orange with dark specks.

History

Understanding the interesting history of lilies will also enlighten you as to why this plant is extremely popular.

What Is the History and Uses of Lilies?

Lilies, specifically Madona lilies, made their first appearance several millennia ago. Loads of people from Crete, Greece, and Mesopotamia incorporated the plant into their jewelry and other decorations.

Moreover, Ancient Egyptians gave the plant to the deceased as an offering. On the other hand, the Romans and Greeks treasured it too. 

It’s because, according to their beliefs, Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, became extremely jealous of the lily due to its beauty. As such, she decided to put elongated pistils at the center of the plant, making it less attractive.

What Are Lilies Cultivated For?

People cultivated lilies as a medicinal ointment. On top of that, the ancients grew bulbs as they were also one of their food sources.

Additionally, they became a popular decoration during 1675-1750 B.C. People often presented this flower through Cretan vases and paintings, which exhibited their beauty, color, and fragrance.

What Do People Associate Lilies To?

Considering that there’s a plethora of species and varieties in the Liliaeceae family, their meanings and symbolism vary.

However, people commonly associate lilies with purity and rebirth. It’s mainly because said flowers are always present in religious iconography. They often represent the Virgin Mary and even the Ressurection of Christ.

What Are the Common Types of Lilies?

The Royal Horticultural Society has classified common types of lilies into several divisions based on their habit and flower type:

1. Asiatic Hybrids

These flowers are cold-hardy, meaning they can withstand lower temperatures. Regarding their size, they range from small to medium. 

When it comes to their shape, they typically form a bowl. Their colors are uniform, but there can be conspicuous brushmarks. They also don’t have any scents.

2. Martagon Hybrids

This division produces down-facing flowers with thick recurved petals. These flowers vary in color, but the most common are pink, lavender, yellow, light orange, and dark red.

Plus, they have speckles and freckles.

3. Euro-Caucasian Hybrids

Also known as Candidum hybrids, these are pale-colored medium-sized flowers that have a bell shape. They often have a sweet fragrance. 

Additionally, their colors can be orange, yellow, pink, or mauve. Their underside usually features a darker shade.

A few examples of these hybrids are June Fragrance and Nankeen. Both flowers feature a strong yet sweet scene, and they can grow up to four feet tall.

4. American Hybrids

American hybrids are medium-sized down-facing pendent flowers whose colors range from yellow to orange. From the name itself, these are native to America.

Popular American hybrids are Lilium Bellingham, which is a spiky plant with whorled leaves, and Lily ‘Cherrywood,’ which sports a red flower whose foliage whorls.

5. Longiflorum Hybrids

Longiflorum hybrids have flowers whose size ranges from medium to large, and their colors are mainly white. In addition, brushmarks aren’t present.

This is one of the most popular flowers for florists and green thumbs because they resemble a Magnolia tree.

6. Trumpet and Aurelian Hybrids

This division features trumpet-shaped flowers with a cream, white, yellow, or pink tint. They typically have a contrasting band of colors on the outside.

7. Oriental Hybrids

These are the result of interbreeding between Lilium speciosum and Lilium auratum. 

Oriental hybrids are bowl-shaped flowers with recurved tepals. The inner part is broad, with its margins overlapping at the base, giving off a “closed” look. They’re usually white or pink to purplish red.

8. Species and Cultivars of Species

The last division consists of all species and their subspecies, forms, varieties, and cultivars. Simply put, these wild lilies are “parents” of the other classes.

As such, this division is vital because other hybrids wouldn’t exist without them.

Flowering

Lilies bloom once during early summer until fall. As mentioned earlier, they’re perennial plants, meaning they need a dormancy period to recuperate before initiating a new flowering cycle.

Whenever they bloom, it lasts up to three weeks. However, the longevity and the number of flowers they produce depend on the species and if you’ve used fertilizers.

Toxicity

According to the FDA, lilies are highly toxic to cats. Even though the toxin remains undiscovered, many people had reported that their pets experienced kidney failure and other health issues. It occurred when the cats ate a part of the plant or drank water from the vase. 

Moreover, they’ve stated that the true lily and daylily families are one of the most toxic for cats. Eating or licking a part of the flower can cause symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, and lethargy.

In addition, lilies can be toxic to dogs too. Calla and peace lilies have insoluble crystals that instantly irritate their mouth, throat, and esophagus when consumed.

If you have any pets in your home, try to avoid putting lilies indoors. It’s a preventive measure to ensure your furry friends won’t experience any health issues.

Before You Go: Final Tips to Help Grow Lilies

If you’ve become interested in growing lilies, make sure to note these tips so your plants will grow healthy:

1. Choose What Type Best Suits You

Liliaceae plants come in various colors, heights, and flower styles. Moreover, some are cold-hardy, while some are sensitive to the weather. 

So, you have to ensure that the lily you’ll start growing will suit your preference and your location.

2. Plant the Bulbs Carefully

True lilies come in true bulbs that don’t come with a protective covering. That said, you should plant them as soon as possible to prevent them from drying out.

In addition, they’re incredibly delicate, so you should handle them carefully when planting to avoid breaking the scales.

3. Maintain Good Soil

Like any other plant, lilies need excellent soil for them to be able to grow correctly. As such, the medium shouldn’t be too moist, as it’ll promote root rot.

On the other hand, it shouldn’t be too dry either because your plant can wither.

4. Provide Enough Room

When lilies grow, they don’t want to become crowded. It’s because they only produce a few leaves, and all of them need to become exposed to sunlight.

With that said, when you’re going to plant lilies, ensure that you’re giving them enough room. If you think that they’re too close to each other, to the extent that some leaves are starting to overlap, immediately transfer them.

5. Plant Bulbs in Groups

If you want to make your lilies look visually appealing, you should plant them in groups of three or five.

However, ensure that you’re spacing them, preferably 10 inches apart from one another, depending on the variety.

FAQs

What is an Oriental Lily?

Oriental lilies come from the interbreeding of species, like Lilium auratum and Lilium japonicum. These kinds of plants are popular for their fragrance and rich colors.

How to care for Lilies?

Aside from watering regularly, you should keep the soil moist in winter. Despite the plants undergoing dormancy, their roots can still dry out.

Additionally, you should apply fertilizer and compost for the lilies to become healthy.

Can Lilies rebloom?

Most lilies only bloom once. However, there are now loads of re-blooming varieties, such as the Hemerocallis ‘Advanced Party’ Daylily, which can bloom during late summer.

What to do when Lilies have finished flowering?

You can either deadhead, prune, or cut your lilies after they have finished flowering. Doing these won’t only remove dead stems and foliage, but they also give the plants room for new growth.

How do Lilies look?

Lilies vary in physical appearance depending on their species. However, they commonly have six plain trumpet or bell-shaped tepals. They also have erect stems with narrow leaves.

What do Oriental Lilies symbolize?

The flower symbolizes innocence, purity, and fertility.

How long do Lilies live for?

Lilies have a lifespan of two years if properly cared for. If you keep them in a vase, they’ll last for two weeks.

What soil should I use?

For lilies, you should use soil rich in organic matter, such as manure, sawdust, and lawn clippings. On top of that, it should have a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5.

Can I use fertilizer?

Definitely! You can use organic fish fertilizer or granular fertilizer for lilies. Just make sure to avoid plant foods high in nitrogen to prevent insect infestation and diseases.

How much sun do Lilies need?

Lilies thrive in full sun. As such, sunlight exposure for more than six hours is vital.

The post What Are Liliaceae Plants? appeared first on Garden and Plant Care.

Lilium auratum, pronounced LEE-lium AU-rah-tum, is commonly called Golden-rayed lily and one of the few existing true lilies native to Eastern Asia and Northern and Central Japan. It is mainly found in hilly and volcanic mountainsides.

Lilium Auratum is a herbaceous, flowering species that can exist for more than one year, depending on its care. Lilium auratum has beautiful white and gold radial markings, sometimes with a touch of orange spots all over. The color varies with species.

Unlike some ornamental plants, Lilium auratum cannot survive in low light or soft shades.

Growing Lilium Auratum can be a bit challenging as it does not require fertilizers and compost. In fact, compost and fertilizers hinder the growth of Lilium auratum. Also, it is not self-pollinating and requires bees before pollination can occur. Lilium Auratum belong to the Liliaceae family.

Lilium auratum grows in slightly sandy and medium-loamy soils. It grows on slightly moist and well-aerated soil. They also grow well in soils that have very little or zero nutritional content.

Plant recommendation: need a tropical look to your home then get yourself the Calathea magic star.

Why prune Lilium auratum

Pruning helps to remove damaged roots of Lilium auratum that slugs or bacteria may have damaged. The removal of these damaged parts helps in improving the growth of the plant.

For old or damaged Lilium auratum plants, pruning can help in rejuvenating. Proper cutting can help activate the dormant growth cells and help repair the damaged section, facilitating growth.

Pruning gives it more balance. It is not uncommon for Lilium auratum plants to grow unevenly as one side has more luscious leaves than the other, causing an imbalance in the overall plant physiology. To create more balance and encourage stability, pruning helps remove the excess growth, balancing the lopsided part.

Pruning helps in creating space that eventually aids growth. For plant lovers who possess two or more plant pots in their homes or garden, overcrowding leaves are difficult to control. These leaves touch other leaves causing the plants to compete in sunlight and space. With pruning, the overstretched parts can be cut off to grow the new ones.

What is pruning?

Pruning is a cultural practice of removing selected parts of plants which may be stems, branches, roots, for various reasons aimed at facilitating growth to the plant. Often, pruning was targeted to remove dead, decayed, damaged, or vestigial parts of plants. Depending on the reason for the pruning, there are several subcategories of pruning.

Although pruning can be done at any time of the year, some plants do not thrive well unless pruned in the proper seasons. Pruning is often done when the weather condition allows or facilitates the growth of new plant parts as woody plants tend to bleed profusely and heal slowly.

Benefits of Pruning

To give the plants a better shape

Pruning can help correct imbalance in the Lilium auratum growth. Most plants are known to be geotropic, favoring one side over the other, causing an imbalance in the shared weight. With pruning, the excesses can be trimmed off and the weight balanced.

To avoid nutrient wastage.

There are some parts of a plant that have no function but exist. They do not take part in the plant’s everyday duties, but they receive equal nutrients; these parts are called Vestigial parts. They are known to be the weed-like part, and their existence leads to competition for space, nutrients, and water with the necessary parts. To avoid the wastage of nutrients, pruning is done to remove these parts.

To remove old wood, inhibiting the growth of new ones.

There are cases where the dominant old wood of the Lilium auratum stops new woods from developing. Once this is discovered, the targeted old wood can be chopped off to give room for the new wood.

Plant inspiration: looking for something different, then checkout the Amazonian elephant’s ear which is a cross over.

Types of Tropical Terrarium

There are different sub-species of the tropical terrarium plants, and they include:

● Lilium auratum

● Biophytum sensitivum

● Neoregelia spp.

● Microsorum musifolium

● Lilium auratum platyphyllum

Tips to prune

Get the angle right, preferably at 45 degrees.

Pruning does not only include making cuts on the plants, but it also takes into consideration the parts to be cut off and the angle of the cuts to be made. Making a cut that is at 45 degrees that slants away from the direction of the bud is recommended. It reduces the chance of rot occurring, helps the stems to shrug off liquid quickly, and protects the delicate interior bud.

Notching Lilium auratum

Notching is a method of creating an artificial branch on a plant. It is done by making a small cut on the plant’s trunk, forcing the plants to create a branch for the cut trunk without taking away any height.

Should you notch?

Notching depends on the individual’s choice and the plant’s look. Does your plant only grow upwards towards the sky and have little to no basal balance? If so, then notching should be done. If otherwise, there is no need to notch your plant.

Tips to notch

After making the incision, patience is the next attribute to possess. Although regrowth may be slow, as long as your plant is receiving its usual dosage of nutrients and the notch has an adequate supply of sunlight, then it should grow.

Pinching Lilium auratum

Should you pinch

Pinching is mostly recommended for scanty plants. If the plants only grow on a stem with few attached branches, the pinching may be recommended to allow for the growth of new stems that will eventually house new plant branches.

Tips of pinching

Ensure the pinching is done with a sharp and sterilizing shear. Use the shears to cut down any yellow or non-green foliage. Remove the stem stalk that contains mainly brown leaves. If there are few brown leaves on the stem, remove the leaves instead. 

Should you deadhead?

Deadheading a Lilium auratum plant is easy. Once a lily flower blossoms and fades, break the faded flower off the plant with a shear or fingers. Fingers perform a clean break off than the shears. Ensure it is broken properly to avoid seed pod production.

Avoid breaking off any additional parts like the leaves with the faded flower, as the plant needs all essential features to muster growth.

Plant inspiration: looking for something that can brighten your home, then check out the fiery Calathea crocata.

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Why do Lilium auratum branches need trimming

When to trim

The best time to trim Lilium auratum is towards late fall or early spring. This period allows for the easy regrowth of the pruned parts.

Tips to encourage growth

Watering: They require at least two centimeters of water per week or every two weeks. For better results, point the watering can nozzle directly to the soil and not to the lilies.

Soil: Lilium auratum grows without an additional growth factor or fertilizers. If you feel the need to add a little fertilizer, opt for a liquid and preferably weak fertilizer.

Nutrition: to boost nutrition, use an NPK fertilizer that contains a high amount of nitrogen as these plants crave them.

Sunlight: It needs different shades of lightning for growth–bright sunlight on plant structures above the roots and shade on the root.

Summary

Lilium auratum is the perfect ornamental plant that can beautify the home. They require mild attention to grow and are ideal for individuals with little to no time.

The post Pruning Lilium auratum appeared first on Garden and Plant Care.

Belonging to the family Liliaceae, Lilium auratum, commonly called Golden-rayed lily, is one of the few true lilies in existence. It is found in hilly and volcanic mountain sides. It can also be seen through scrubby lands and grassy places and on steep and well-drained slopes. 

Appearance and Characteristics

Lilium auratum is a herbaceous, perennial flowering species that is white with gold radial markings and sometimes orange spots all over. This color description differs from species to species. It has strongly scented flowers and measures up to 8 feet tall. It grows in slightly sandy and medium-loamy soils that are moist and well-aerated; they also fare well in soils with little to no nutritional content. It also prefers soils that are slightly acidic or neutral.

Unlike other plants that can survive in lowlight or low shades, this condition is detrimental to the plant. Fertilizers and compost also hinder the growth of the plant. It is not self-pollinating and requires bees before pollination can occur. It can tolerate temperatures as low as -20 degrees and does not fare well in summer climates or two moist soils.

It is harvested traditionally for food and was once cultivated commercially in Japan as a food crop but is now used as an ornamental in homes and commercial places. Lilium auratum flowers give off a penetrating and spicy aroma, thus making the roots attractive to slugs during Spring.

Its flowers bud from August to September. Its seeds ripen exactly a month afterward; the flowering species is hermaphrodite and contains both male and female sexes on the same flower.

Quick summary

Botanical Plant Name: Lilium auratum pronounced LEE-lium AU-rah-tum under a Family Liliaceae

Native to: It is native to Eastern Asia and Northern and Central Japan.

Care: They require little to no maintenance, loves moisture soil as long as it is well-draining and well-aerated. Fertilizers are fatal to its growth, and it is found to attract slugs to its root. They survive in extremely harsh conditions and in soils that have little to no nutrients.

Size: It grows as high as 1.8 meters.

Common Problems: their roots attract slugs, and they need to follow the proper planting season before their bulbs germinate well. They require the opposite of what most plants need to grow.

Toxicity: They are not toxic to humans and dogs, but they cause some harm to cats.

Plant recommendation tip: looking for a non toxic plant then check out Solid green spider plant.

How to take care of Lilium auratum

Lilium auratum is one of the few flowering plants that can survive on its own; however, there are some ways to offer help.

Sunlight: It requires bright sunlight on its parts above the roots and requires shade on the root region. It can survive in extreme conditions but doesn’t do too well in full-shaded areas.

Watering: They require at least one inch of water per week or every two weeks. The soil should be moist but not too moist. Ensure the watering can nozzle of the water house is pointed directly to the soil and not to the lilies.

Humidity & Temperature: It grows well in extreme conditions and requires low moisture content—summarily, it loves to grow in the poorest conditions. The best temperature is 64 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Cleaning: It requires low cleaning but, a simple water flow with a hose around the plant will suffice.

Fertilizing & soil: Fertilizers negatively affect the growth of Lilium auratum, and it loves dry soils with no compost content.

Repotting: Repotting Lilium auratum is best done in autumn. Ensure the container is filled with a sterile soil mixture, uproot the plant carefully, and transfer to a new container before covering it up properly.

Plant inspiration tip: brighten your home with the amazing Hydrangea Serrata.

How and When to Prune Lilium auratum

Remove dead, dry, and sunken flowers when they fade to prevent the waste of time, energy, and nutrients, as the plant would need extra nutrients to repair the damaged parts—Cut away the dead stems or overgrown stems to aid more regrowth.

It is advised to prune Lilium auratum around late fall or early Spring by using a pair of sharp secateurs to cut off the affected parts. Ensure the equipment is washed, dried, and sterilized before and after use.

Problems with Lilium auratum

Lilium auratum attract slugs, rabbits, and groundhogs. They are found to permit the growth of grey molds if any part of the plant is left wet for a long period. If they are unevenly spaced, they can transmit pest infestations and infections quickly and easily. They also serve as breeding grounds for aphids.

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How to propagate?

Propagating Lilium auratum involves seed-delayed hypogeal germination that should be down in Spring. The seeds need to be stored and require a 2-month cycle of stratification. This basically means the seeds go through a process of breaking dormancy and initiating germination.

The seedlings should be grown in shady conditions. It will require regular feeding before any significant growth is recorded. It may take over one year, and repotting needs to be done after autumn finishes.

After autumn the root bulbs should be dug up and the scales removed. Keep the root bulbs in a warm dark place, inside a bag of moist peats to form bulblets. These bulblets are potted up in another container and grown again and later transferred to the ground.

Plant inspiration tip: give your home an amazonian look with the exotic Calathea zebrina.

Common FAQs

What is so special about Lilium auratum?

It is edible and can be cultivated as a food crop. They are perfect ornamental plants with royal colors that add a touch of class to the home. They are non-toxic and do not require excess attention. They are used as vegetables and comprise multiple imbricate, fleshy scales that taste sweet, hinting another mild flavor. It is also boiled, powered, and used as dumplings in most Japanese homes.

Are Lilium auratum good indoor plants?

Lilium auratum is a perfect indoor plant, as they rarely attract any indoor pests. They are only prone to be eaten when they are grown outdoors.

Can a Lilium auratum plant live in low light?

Yes, Lilium auratum can survive in low light as long as only the roots are in the lowlight. If the entire plant is in a lowlight, it cannot.

Summary

Lilium auratum is an ornamental and food crop that can be cultivated to feed the family and beautify the home. 

The post How to Care for Lilium Auratum appeared first on Garden and Plant Care.