← Plant Guides

How to Grow Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer

Wikimedia Commons

Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer

Lilium 'Stargazer'

flower

Stargazer is a stunning Oriental hybrid lily renowned for its deep pink to red petals with white edges and prominent red stamens. The flowers face upward (hence the name) and emit a strong, sweet fragrance that carries throughout the garden. This is a premium cut flower variety prized by florists and home gardeners alike.

When should you plant Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer timeline →

Example Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer blooms

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; afternoon shade in hot climates (zones 8+)
💧
Water: Moderate water; keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water at soil level to avoid fungal issues on foliage. Reduce watering after blooming.
📏
Spacing: 8-12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-120 days from planting to first bloom (bulbs planted in spring)
🌱
Planting depth: 8-10 inches deep; plant pointed end up with stem roots in mind

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Bone meal at planting

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8, with protection in zone 3

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

Sign up free to see if Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Dormancy/Planting

Fall planting through winter or spring planting through early summer

Bulbs are dormant and require chilling period. Plant in fall (October-November) or spring after soil warms.

Store bulbs in cool, dry place before planting. Plant in fall in warmer zones to establish roots before winter. Ensure excellent drainage to prevent rot.

2

Emergence & Growth

4-6 weeks

Green shoots emerge from soil and rapidly develop into tall stems with lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls.

Provide consistent moisture during growth phase. Stake tall plants (they reach 4-6 feet) with sturdy supports. Mulch lightly to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

3

Bud Formation

2-3 weeks

Terminal buds form at stem tips; multiple flower buds cluster at the top in umbel formation.

Continue regular watering and weekly balanced fertilizing (10-10-10 or similar). Pinch off lower leaf axil buds if desired to direct energy to main terminal flowers.

4

Flowering

2-3 weeks of continuous bloom

Large 6-8 inch trumpet flowers open sequentially over 2-3 weeks, facing upward with swept-back petals, deep pink-red color, white margins, and prominent red stamens.

Deadhead spent flowers but leave stem intact. Remove stamens if using as cut flowers to prevent pollen staining. Enjoy powerful fragrance. Support stems if needed.

5

Post-Bloom & Dormancy Preparation

6-8 weeks

Flowers fade and fall away; seed pods may form; foliage begins to yellow and decline.

Allow foliage to yellow naturally before cutting back (feeds bulb). Stop fertilizing. Reduce watering gradually. Remove spent flower stems but leave leaves for 6+ weeks post-bloom. Bulbs enter dormancy in late summer/fall.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Daylilies Russian Sage Salvia Catmint Lavender Coreopsis Black-eyed Susan Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Potatoes Onions Garlic Corn

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick beetles and larvae; spray with spinosad or neem oil at first sign; remove and destroy plant debris in fall

  • Increase humidity; spray foliage with water; use miticide if severe; improve air circulation

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil; use water spray to dislodge; attract beneficial insects

  • Improve air circulation; water at soil level only; remove infected foliage; fungicide if severe; avoid crowding

  • and

    Remove debris; set beer traps; hand-pick at night; apply copper barriers; encourage natural predators

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers

Culinary

Oriental lily petals are non-toxic and occasionally used as an elegant garnish for salads and desserts in gourmet cuisine. The flavor is mild and slightly sweet. [source]

🏠

Premium Cut Flower Arrangement

Household

Stargazer is one of the most prized cut flowers in the floral industry, used in wedding bouquets, centerpieces, and high-end arrangements. Its upward-facing blooms and powerful fragrance make it a florist favorite. [source]

🎨

Dried Flower & Pressed Flower Craft

Craft

Lily petals and flowers press and dry beautifully for use in dried arrangements, pressed flower art, card making, and botanical crafts. The vibrant color holds reasonably well when properly dried. [source]

🦋

Pollinator & Hummingbird Attraction

Wildlife

The bright upward-facing flowers and sweet fragrance attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making them excellent for pollinator gardens. The abundant pollen provides essential nutrition. [source]

💊

Ornamental Aromatherapy

Medicinal

The intense sweet fragrance of Stargazer lilies is prized for its calming, uplifting scent in living spaces. Some cultures use lily fragrances in traditional aromatherapy, though not for internal use. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when first bloom opens for longest vase life (7-10 days). Cut stems at 45-degree angle with sharp knife. Remove lower leaves below water line. Change water every 2-3 days. Remove pollen-bearing stamens with tweezers to prevent staining and extend bloom. Recut stems every few days. For garden display, deadhead spent flowers but leave stems to feed bulb for next year.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Stargazer lily was hybridized in 1974 by Dr. Orley Taylor in Oregon and revolutionized the cut flower industry with its unique upward-facing blooms—most lilies face outward or downward.
  • 🌱 The name 'Stargazer' comes from the flowers' distinctive habit of facing upward toward the sky, creating a dramatic and romantic visual effect in gardens and arrangements.
  • 🌱 A single mature Stargazer plant can produce 8-12 flower buds on the main stem alone, providing weeks of continuous blooms and making it incredibly valuable as a cut flower source.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch pH
Shop Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Oriental Hybrid Lily Stargazer timeline →