How to Grow and Care for Tiger Lilies

Overview

• Common Name: Tiger lily
• Botanical Name: Lilium lancifolium (also Lilium tigrinum)
• Family: Liliaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous, perennial
• Mature Size: 3-5 ft. tall, 7-8 in. wide
• Sun Exposure: Full, partial
• Soil Type: Loamy, moist, well-draining
• Soil pH: Acidic
• Bloom Time: Summer
• Flower Color: Orange, red, yellow, white, pink
• Hardiness Zones: 3-9 (USDA)
• Native Area: Asia
• Toxicity: Toxic to humans and cats

Care Requirements

Light

• Prefer sunny locations with approximately 6 hours of direct sun.
• Tolerate partial shade and benefit from afternoon shade.

Soil

• Well-draining soil; amend with compost or humus if needed.
• Can tolerate various soil types, preferably moderately fertile and slightly acidic.

Water

• Average water needs; mature plants tolerate some drought.
• Consistent watering preferred; avoid overly dry soil.

Temperature and Humidity

• Grow in spring post-frost and go dormant in fall/winter.
• Tolerate both humid and dry conditions given proper soil moisture.

Fertilizer

• Minimal fertilizer needed; compost layer once or twice a year.
• Mulch in late spring to keep roots cool.

Types of Tiger Lily

• Asiatic Hybrids: Flower in June/July; easy to grow.
• Easter Lilies (Longiflorum hybrids): Typically bloom in midsummer.
• Oriental Hybrids: Bloom mid-to-late summer; large, colorful flowers.

Pruning

• Yellow leaves fade first; cut stalks to ground level in late fall.

Propagation

• Propagate using bulbils or by bulb division.
• Dig and separate bulbs when dormant; replant pointed side upward.

Growing from Seed

• Plant seeds in fall or spring after frost.
• Maintain lightly moist soil; ensure indirect light.

Growing in Pots

• Use pots at least 8 inches wide and deep.
• Repot every few years or when root-bound.

Overwintering

• Dormant over winter; mulch for insulation.
• Avoid waterlogged soil; minimal watering needed.

Pests & Diseases

• Resistant but can harbor viruses like lily mosaic virus.
• Address lily leaf beetles and aphids promptly with insecticides.

Bloom

• Bloom mid-to-late summer; flowers unscented with bright, speckled petals.
• Deadheading can prolong bloom period.
• Divide bulbs if flower output reduces.

Common Issues

• Yellow Leaves: Overwatering; improve drainage.
• Brown Plant Parts: Potential aphid infestation.
• Holes in Leaves: Possible lily leaf beetles.

FAQs

• Spread: Tiger lilies spread easily but are not invasive.
• Differences from Other Lilies: Distinctive orange with black freckles.
• Perennial: Yes, return annually.
• Planting Time: Fall or spring.