
Tiger Lily Care
- Light Tiger lilies prefer to grow in a sunny location with roughly at least six hours of direct sun on most days. ...
- Soil To ensure proper soil drainage for the bulbs, you might need to amend your soil with compost or humus. ...
- Water Tiger lilies have average water needs. ...
- Temperature and Humidity ...
- Fertilizer ...
How to take care of Tiger Lilies?
Tiger Lily Care 1 Light. Like many flowers, tiger lilies prefer to grow in a sunny location. ... 2 Soil. To ensure proper soil drainage for the bulbs, you might need to amend your soil with compost or humus. 3 Water. Tiger lilies have average water needs. ... 4 Temperature and Humidity. ... 5 Fertilizer. ...
Can tiger lilies grow in clay soil?
Tiger lilies may still survive in heavy, slow-draining soil such as clay. You will just have to amend it by mixing in compost before planting the tiger lilies. You can also grow tiger lilies in pots filled with a quality potting mix. Grow tiger lilies in slightly acidic soil. Slightly acidic soil has a pH of 7 or less.
Are tiger lily bulbs drought tolerant?
Tiger lilies are somewhat drought-tolerant and quite maintenance-free once the bulbs are established. How fast do tiger lilies grow? The bulbs will grow and bloom fast. Plant the bulbs in the fall or spring and you can expect blooms by mid-to-late summer.
What are the characteristics of a Tiger Lily?
The tiger lily plant can reach several feet (1 m.) tall, and while the stems are usually stiff and sturdy, a slender stake occasionally helps provide an upright appearance and support for multiple flowers. Tiger lily flowers grow in mass atop a single stem, featuring curved sepals that complement the black-flecked orange petals above.

How do you keep tiger lilies alive?
The key is to plant your tiger lilies in a spot with good drainage, as a waterlogged area can rot the bulbs. 3 Then, over the first few years, water your lilies regularly until their root system has matured. After that, they can better tolerate some drought and are fairly low-maintenance plants.
What do lilies need to survive?
Lilies need lots of sun. For dependable blooms, lilies should get 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day (aka “full sun”). If it's too shady, the stems will attempt to lean towards the sun or get spindly and fall over. Select a planting site with soil that drains well.
How often do you water tiger lilies?
Tiger lily are not resistant to freezing temperatures, and bulbs should be harvested and stored during the fall. In the high temperatures of summer, water continuously to cool the plant and the soil temperature. Lilies should be watered immediately after planting and once every two or three days after that.
What kind of soil do tiger lilies need?
Tiger Lily Care: Success Starts With Good Soil Preparation Growing Lilium tigrinum is easy as long as you give them well-drained soil and the appropriate moisture. Begin with soil that has been thoroughly tilled and loosened to provide your lily bulbs with excellent drainage.
How do you make lilies last longer?
Keep Away From Sunlight Once cut, these flowers require a cool environment; this increases life length and keeps the blooms looking fresh longer. To ensure that your lilies have the best chance at survival, place them out of direct sunlight and in an area that remains relatively cool.
How do you take care of potted lilies?
Q How should I care for lilies in pots? A Place the pots in full sun and ensure the compost is moist at all times, but not wet. Feed with a liquid fertiliser, such as tomato feed, every fortnight during summer. Repot bulbs in the autumn when the foliage dies down, or transfer them to the garden.
How do you keep tiger lilies blooming?
Amending the soil around tiger lily flowers is as simple as adding compost or humus. Peat moss, sand or straw mixed into the beds are other ways to improve drainage and retain appropriate moisture. Proper soil preparation results in healthier tiger lily plants that produce more and bigger blooms.
Why are my tiger lilies dying?
When tiger lilies wilt, it is because they are not able to take up enough moisture from their environment. Whether the cause of this is lack of irrigation, root knot nematodes or root rot, you can take steps to save a wilting tiger lily.
How long do tiger lilies last?
These dramatic flowers can last up to two weeks when cut. Lilies are well-known for having heavily pollenated stamens, which stain. If using them as cut flowers, gently pull the anthers off as soon as the flowers open.
Can tiger lilies grow in pots?
You can plant tiger lilies directly in the ground or in a pot or container. They prefer full sun, so make sure to find an area where they will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Plant in well draining soil, since they do not like to be waterlogged.
Why won't my tiger lilies bloom?
The reason for lilies not blooming is often because the bulbs are too small, overcrowded or planted to shallow. Not enough sunlight, drought, too much fertilizer and mild Winter temperatures can also prevent flowering. Cutting away the leaves after flowering can prevent lilies from flowering the following year.
Should you cut back tiger lilies?
Cut back the stalks when all the leaves yellow. Remove them to the ground, and allow the plant to go dormant for the winter. Annual pruning prevents future plant diseases in your garden and reduces pests. When spring comes again, divide your tiger lilies before new shoots form, or allow them to come back on their own.
Do lilies require a lot of water?
Water your lilies only as needed. Lilies generally don't need a lot of water, so only water if required. Asiatic lilies, Trumpets, and Orienpets flourish in hot, dry climates, as long as they have enough water up to flowering time. Orientals need watering during the summer, as they do not blossom until August.
Do lilies like sun or shade?
Provide Good Soil and Lots of Sun In dry climates, mulching the soil surface will reduce moisture loss and keep the soil cooler. Lilies should be planted where they can get full sun or at least half day sun. In hot climates they appreciate being shaded from afternoon heat.
How much water does a lily need?
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recommends providing 1 inch of water each week when the plants are actively growing; however, improper watering can do more harm than good. Water should only be provided if the soil feels dry beneath the surface because very wet soil can rot lily bulbs.
Are lilies indoor or outdoor plants?
If you do not have a greenhouse or cold frame, a cool garden shed, garage or basement will work. Once the weather permits it, place your potted lily plants outside in a sunny to part sunny location. If there is any danger of frost, simply move your potted lily plants indoors until it has passed.
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How to keep tiger lily blooms alive?
Cut blooms from the plant as desired for cuttings in your home. Ensure that you only use sterilized clippers to keep the plant healthy. Tiger lily blooms tend to last a long time in water, but replace the water regularly to extend the life of your bloom.
How much sun do tiger lilies need?
Select a location that will receive full-sun, about six to eight hours a day. Tiger lilies grow toward the sun, so it you plant the bulb in a partially shaded location, the bloom will lean toward the sun.
What do lily beetles eat?
Be on the look out for lily beetles, which are red on the top and black on the bottom. Although lily beetles most commonly feed on the leaves of lilies, they will also nosh on buds, blooms, and stems if left untreated. Remove beetles by hand, and consider adding a biological agent such as neem oil or spinosad at the first sign of infestation.
What does aftercare do for bulbs?
Adequate aftercare of spent blooms not only keeps your garden looking tidy, but it ensures that the bulb reserves energy for next year’s growth.
Do tiger lilies have slugs?
Because tiger lilies are susceptible to slugs, consider growing the blooms in raised pots to keep slugs at a minimum. Be on the look out for lily beetles, which are red on the top and black on the bottom. Although lily beetles most commonly feed on the leaves of lilies, they will also nosh on buds, blooms, and stems if left untreated.
Can tiger lilies grow in a garden?
Lockridge is an avid reader who enjoys learning about beautiful garden plants. Among other things, she has worked with a florist. pinterest-pin-it. Tiger lilies thrive well untended in nature, so it stands to reason that tiger lilies are fairly simple to grow in your home or garden. Above all, tiger lilies need a sunny location ...
When to remove bulb from soil?
Remove the bulb from the soil when the stem is completely dry.
Why are my tiger lilies not blooming?
There are several reasons why your tiger lilies might not be blooming. If they are planted too shallow or the bulb is too small, they will have trouble blo oming. Overfertilizing can also cause lack of blooming, as well as lack of sunlight or being planted in drought conditions. For the most part, tiger lilies are hardy, but can get picky especially based on the weather.
Why do tiger lilies need to be kept out of water?
Keep your tiger lilies out of standing water to prevent basal rot and your plants’ subsequent demise. The other disease that is an issue is the mosaic virus. Although it will not affect the leaves of the tiger lily itself, it can easily be passed to other types of lilies and hurt them.
How tall does a tiger lily grow?
This is the plant that grows majestically 3-4 feet high, and is an iconic addition to any garden with its telltale orange flowers and dark spots.
What does a tiger lily symbolize?
With its tall stalk and multiple flowers atop it, as well as the colorings of a tiger, tiger lilies are a symbol of the power, confidence, and ferocity of women. This flower is tied to wealth and success as well, so it would make a great choice for your garden!
What is the most striking flower?
One of the most striking flowers you can choose for your garden is the tiger lily. The outward curling petals, long stalks, and bright orange flowers with dark speckled spots surely stand out from the crowd.
Is a tiger lily disease resistant?
Although in general tiger lilies are disease resistant and easy to grow, there are a few pests that stand in their way. The red lily beetle is not yet prolific in the United States, having originated in Europe, but it is seen in the Eastern part of the country.
Is a tiger lily related to a lily?
Although they share some traits with other types of lilies, they are not fully related. Oriental lilies, and the Easter lily among others, are commonly mistaken for members of the tiger lily family, but they are not.
How much sunlight do tiger lilies need?
Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Tiger lilies are "full sunlight" plants. They grow well in warm, open areas. Since tiger lilies are so hardy, they may even survive in partial shade, but try to maximize the amount of sunlight your lily bulbs receive.
What is the best oil for tiger lilies?
The main threats to worry about are aphids and red lily beetles. Spray the oil on the lilies as they grow to protect them. Neem oil is harmless to people, pets, and other wildlife, so it’s the best solution out there.
How to keep tigers lilies alive?
2. Apply compost up to twice a year in spring and fall. Tiger lilies survive well on their own in nature, so they don’t need a lot of extra nutrients in your yard. If you want to add about 2 in (5.1 cm) of an organic compost, do it before the lilies go dormant in winter or begin to flower in summer.
What does mulch do to bulbs?
Adding mulch seals in moisture and insulates the bulbs from cold temperatures.
How to test if a tiger lily is good for standing water?
Pick a patch of soil that drains well. Tiger lilies aren’t capable of surviving in standing water. You can test your soil by digging a hole and filling it with water. Good soil drains within about 10 minutes. Avoid any areas where the water lingers or the soil stays saturated for hours. [2]
How long do tiger lilies bloom?
Tiger lilies bloom during August. They can last from 2 weeks to 1 month, depending on the weather conditions.
What is a tiger lily?
Tiger lilies, also known as Lilium lancifolium, are wonderful summer plants known for their orange blooms with black spots. They are perennial bulbs that you plant in the ground in the spring or fall. Tiger lilies are hardy, so they can grow in USDA zones 3 through 9 with minimal maintenance other than weekly watering.
What is a tiger lily?
Growing Tiger Lilies: Information On Growing And Caring For Tiger Lily Plant. Tiger lily flowers ( Lilium lancifolium or Lilium tigrinum) offer a tall and showy flower that you may remember from your grandmother’s garden.
How tall do tiger lilies get?
The tiger lily plant can reach several feet (1 m.) tall, and while the stems are usually stiff and sturdy, a slender stake occasionally helps provide an upright appearance and support for multiple flowers. Tiger lily flowers grow in mass atop a single stem, featuring curved sepals that complement the black-flecked orange petals above.
How to keep tiger lily blooming?
Peat moss, sand or straw mixed into the beds are other ways to improve drainage and retain appropriate moisture. Proper soil preparation results in healthier tiger lily plants that produce more and bigger blooms.
Can you plant tiger lilies in the garden?
You can also plant shorter flowering specimens to help keep the lily roots cool. It should also be noted that it’s normally better to plant tiger lilies in an area of the garden away from other lily varieties, like Asiatic and Oriental lilies.
Do tiger lilies need soggy soil?
Since they are grown from bulbils, the tiger lily plant won’t tolerate soggy soil. Therefore, make sure to plant them in a well-draining area or you may find that the bulbils have rotted away. To ensure proper drainage, you may need to amend the soil prior to planting.
Can you grow tiger lilies from bulbils?
If you have tiger lilies growing in your existing garden, keep them happy with soil amendments as you learn how to grow tiger lilies from the bulbils.
Can you feed a tiger lily?
Feeding may also be in the form of organic mulch, which does double duty when applied to growing tiger lilies. The mulch will decompose to add nutrients, while providing low shade to the tiger lily plant, which likes cool roots. You can also plant shorter flowering specimens to help keep the lily roots cool.
Speedwell
Speedwell, also known as Veronica, is a perennial plant that blooms through the summer, just like Lilies do. This plant’s candle-like blooms are vibrant in color and will contrast nicely with your Tiger Lilies. Plus, the two plants have similar moisture, sun, and nutrient content requirements.
Peonie
Lilies need companions with shallow roots to have no problems absorbing nutrients and water. If you like peonies, you can rest assured the two plants will thrive next to each other. Not only will peonies combine perfectly with your tiger lilies: they also have shallow roots and similar moisture requirements.
Rudbeckia
You might know Rudbeckia under the name of Black-Eyed Susan, but that doesn’t change the fact that this flowering plant is one of the best Tiger Lily Companion plants. Its blooms bend backward, which can make your garden bed more attractive.
Narcissus
While narcissus is a spring bloom, it still makes for an ideal companion to your Tiger Lillies. Its bright yellow tubular flower contrast nicely with Tiger lily’s dense foliage. Also, both attract bees and butterflies, which contribute to making your garden lively and more attractive all year round.
Tall Garden Phlox
Tall Garden Flox grows in a flowering clump that can fill your garden if you need that. Plus, it is the ideal companion to your Lillies. This variety of phlox produces deep purple small flowers that contrast stunningly with the orange tiger lilies.
Are Tiger Lilies Edible?
Yes; unless you’re a cat of course! The taste and texture are similar to that of a turnip and can be roasted, tossed in a salad, or used in a stir fry. It’s safe to say that you can use your imagination when eating these colourful flowers, and you may even come across them in dishes in some of the top restaurants.
How to keep tiger lilies in the garden?
Try repotting it in a bigger container or transfer it into your garden if you have the space. It’s important to keep the lilies in the same quality of soil as what they were before. Propagating lilies: If not properly maintained, tiger lilies can take over your garden.
What is the best flower for lazy gardeners?
Ideal For The Amateur Gardener. If you’re looking to add colour to your home or garden without having to commit to regular maintenance, a tiger lily is the ultimate lazy gardener flower. All you need to do is prep the soil, plant the bulbs and keep the soil moist as soon as the last frost has passed.
What are the pests on tiger lilies?
The plants may be hardy, but they can still carry diseases like mosaic virus that damages other lilies. Aphids and red lily beetles can become a problem, so keep an eye on the leaves to make sure they’re not being munched away.
How many stamens does a tiger lily have?
The flower is easily identifiable due to its curled back petals, dark spots with six stamens and a long style. If you’re keen to add this type of lily to your garden, learn more with our guide. Jump To a Section Below [ hide] Growing Tiger Lilies. Tips For Growing Tiger Lilies:
When do tiger lilies start to grow?
Temperature: Tiger lilies begin growing in the spring once the last frost has passed . The temperature shouldn’t be an issue as the dormant bulbs are able to withstand the icy soil in winter. Fertilizer: Depending on the composition of your soil, tiger lilies don’t need a lot of fertilizer to grow.
What is the best way to ensure proper soil nutrition?
Soil: To ensure proper soil nutrition you may need to add fertiliser or compost to the mix. The soil also needs adequate drainage, which can be further assisted by adding straw, moss, or sand.
How to get rid of tiger lily bulb?
As the tiger lily blossoms fade, snip them from their stems with scissors sterilized with rubbing alcohol or a household cleaner like Lysol. Over time, tiny round bulbils form at the junction of the stem and leaves. Remove these tiny bulblets when they separate easily from the stem, and plant them in moist potting soil.
What is the virus on a tiger lily?
Aphids and other sap-sucking insects travel from the tiger lily to other lilies and spread the virus. Distorted streaked or mottled foliage and deformed flowers indicate that the plants are infected, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
What is the toughest lily?
The lush orange and dark brown or purplish spotted blossoms of the tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium) fill gardens from early to midsummer in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. It's considered the toughest species of Asiatic lily, so a freeze won’t harm the tiger lily.
How tall are tiger lilies?
The bright colors, curled-back petals and uniquely freckled flowers make tiger lilies an exotic addition to your flower garden. At 2 to 4 feet tall, depending on the cultivar, tiger lilies create a bright backdrop against a wall or fence.
When do tiger lilies emerge?
When planted in the garden, underground and protected by a thick layer of mulch, tiger lily bulbs emerge in spring. In containers, however, freezing cold temperatures can affect the dormant bulbs. Move your containers into a protected location where temperatures are cold but remain above freezing.
Can a tiger lily survive freezing?
It's considered the toughest species of Asiatic lily, so a freeze won’t harm the tiger lily. These Asian hybrids escaped cultivation in the 1940s, and have naturalized in woodlands, vacant lots and along railroad tracks. Though the tiger lily can tolerate freezing temperatures, soggy soils may cause the bulbs to rot during winter's cold ...
Can a tiger lily rot in the winter?
Though the tiger lily can tolerate freezing temperatures, soggy soils may cause the bulbs to rot during winter's cold and wet weather.

Tiger Lillies Are Simple to Grow
How to Plant Tiger Lilies
- Select a location that will receive full sun, about six to eight hours a day. Tiger lilies grow toward the sun, so if you plant the bulb in a partially shaded location, the bloom will lean toward t...
- Prepare soil for bulb planting by tilling it. Tilling will help with drainage, which is pivotal for proper tiger lily growth.
- Select a location that will receive full sun, about six to eight hours a day. Tiger lilies grow toward the sun, so if you plant the bulb in a partially shaded location, the bloom will lean toward t...
- Prepare soil for bulb planting by tilling it. Tilling will help with drainage, which is pivotal for proper tiger lily growth.
- Dig holes at least six inches down and about eight inches apart. Plant bulbs deeper down in the soil in cooler climates.
- Plant bulbs with the flat portion facing down (and the pointy portion facing up), and then cover with soil. Hold bulbs gently to avoid knocking off scales on the bulb.
Aftercare
- Adequate aftercare of spent blooms not only keeps your garden looking tidy, but it ensures that the bulb reserves energy for next year’s growth. 1. Once the bloom is spent, use sterilized clippers to reduce the stem size. Leave about 1/3 of the stem, and allow the stem to dry out. 2. Remove the bulb from the soil when the stem is completely dry. 3. Store bulb in a dark, cool, dry location …
Tips
- Tiger lilies tend to look best when planted in odd-numbered groupings, such as multiples of three or five.
- Plants require the most water while in the active growing stage. Monitor moisture levels in the soil, and ensure that the plant receives at least one inch of water per week during the active growth.
- Tiger lilies tend to look best when planted in odd-numbered groupings, such as multiples of three or five.
- Plants require the most water while in the active growing stage. Monitor moisture levels in the soil, and ensure that the plant receives at least one inch of water per week during the active growth.
- Only fertilize soil if conditions are sub-par. Tiger lilies tend to grow well out in the wild, so you likely won’t need to amend the soil much, if at all.
- Keep soil covered with organic mulch. Not only does it add nutrients to the soil, mulch helps keep moisture levels high and aids with drainage.
Pests
- Because tiger lilies are susceptible to slugs, consider growing the blooms in raised pots to keep slugs at a minimum. Be on the look out for lily beetles, which are red on the top and black on the bottom. Although lily beetles most commonly feed on the leaves of lilies, they will also nosh on buds, blooms, and stems if left untreated. Remove beetles by hand, and consider adding a biolo…
Helpful Resources
- Gardeners Supply Co: Controlling Lily Leaf Beetles Plant Care Today: Tiger Lily Flower Old Farmer’s Almanac: Growing Lilies This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Questions & Answers
- Question:Will tiger lily bulbs poorly planted in a drought survive and bloom again the following year? Answer:It really all depends upon the overall weather and growing conditions, however dry soil conditions are much better than soggy conditions as you'd hate for the bulb to have rot. Question:How much water does a tiger lily need? Answer:Tiger lilies need the most water when i…