Stan Shebs / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Lily
Lilium
Edible
Overview
True lilies (Lilium) produce some of the most spectacular and fragrant flowers in the garden, with elegant trumpet, turk's cap, and star-shaped blooms. Oriental lilies are intensely fragrant, Asiatic lilies bloom earliest, and species lilies add wild grace. Lily bulbs have been eaten in East Asian cuisine for thousands of years and are still a common ingredient in Chinese cooking.
Growing Conditions
LightPartial Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones7 — 11
Height1.8m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuehigh
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.5 — 6.5
Soil TypeRich, well-drained, humusy soil (no standing water)
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant bulbs in spring 6-8" deep; or fall planting 4 weeks before ground freezes |
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Sep — Oct | Fall planting preferred; mulch heavily |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | Jun — Aug | Asiatic June-July; Oriental July-August; stake tall varieties |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant in spring; Asiatic bloom first, then Oriental later in summer |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Sep — Oct | Fall planting; good drainage essential — bulbs rot in wet soil |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | Jun — Aug | Succession bloom from Asiatic to Oriental types |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant in spring or fall; Asiatic lilies are easiest; Oriental are most fragrant |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | May — Aug | Bloom early to late summer by type; toxic to cats |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Oct — Nov | Plant in fall; mulch to keep roots cool; Asiatic types most heat tolerant |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | Apr — Jul | Spring through summer bloom; afternoon shade helps |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Nov — Dec | Plant in fall; choose Asiatic or LA hybrids — Orientals may not get enough chill |
| Hot (10+) | Bloom | Mar — Jun | Spring/early summer bloom; protect from afternoon sun |
Uses
Culinary
- Bulbs of certain species (L. lancifolium, L. brownii) cooked in Chinese cuisine
- Dried lily buds (golden needles) used in hot and sour soup
Other Uses
- Spectacular fragrant cut flowers
- Long-blooming perennial garden focal point
- Naturalizing in woodland edges and cottage gardens
