How to Grow Tiger Lily
Wikimedia Commons
Tiger Lily
Lilium lancifolium
flowerTiger lily is a striking perennial flower known for its vibrant orange petals adorned with dark spots or streaks that resemble a tiger's markings. It produces tall stems (3-6 feet) with multiple recurved blooms that appear in mid to late summer. This hardy, vigorous lily is easy to grow and naturalizes well in gardens.
Looking for a specific variety?
When should you plant Tiger Lily 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.
Example Tiger Lily timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Tiger Lily
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Tiger Lily blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tiger Lily dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; most vigorous in cooler zones 3-7
Sign up free to see if Tiger Lily grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Tiger Lily timeline →Growth Stages
Dormancy/Bulb Rest
8-12 weeks (winter months)Bulb lies dormant underground requiring cold period (vernalization) to break dormancy
Store bulbs in cool location (35-45°F) for 8-12 weeks if grown in warm climates; outdoor bulbs naturally receive chilling in winter
Emergence & Early Growth
4-6 weeksShoots emerge from soil in early spring; stems begin growing upward with lance-shaped leaves appearing along the stem
Apply balanced fertilizer as growth begins; ensure adequate moisture; mulch around plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature
Vegetative/Bulbil Development
6-8 weeksStems elongate rapidly (reaching 3-6 feet); foliage develops fully; small bulbils (aerial bulbs) form in leaf axils along the stem
Support tall varieties with stakes if needed; continue consistent watering and monthly fertilization with low-nitrogen formula; do not remove bulbils yet
Flowering
3-4 weeksBuds form at stem tip; 4-20 large orange flowers with dark spots open in succession; recurved petals and prominent stamens with orange pollen
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; use low-nitrogen fertilizer to promote flowering; avoid handling stamens (pollen stains clothes permanently); remove stamens if cut flowers desired
Post-Bloom & Bulbil Harvest
4-6 weeksFlowers fade and drop; stem begins to decline; bulbils mature and darken to reddish-brown, becoming ready to harvest
Harvest bulbils when they fall easily from stem (late summer); plant immediately or store in cool, moist sand; allow foliage to yellow naturally and die back completely before cutting stems
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Hand-pick adults and orange egg clusters on leaf undersides; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators; remove leaf litter where pupae overwinter
-
Remove larvae (covered with black excrement) by hand; spray neem oil weekly from spring through summer; treat soil in fall to eliminate pupae
-
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected leaves; apply fungicide if severe; clean up debris in fall
-
Control aphids that transmit virus; remove infected plants; plant in areas away from infected lilies; wash tools between plants
-
and
Remove by hand at night; use copper barriers or traps; apply iron phosphate-based slug bait; encourage ground beetles and other predators
Uses
Edible bulbs
CulinaryTiger lily bulbs have been used in Asian cuisine for centuries, prized for their delicate flavor and nutritional value. Bulbils can be harvested, cooked, and eaten as a vegetable with a slightly sweet, nutty taste. [source]
Traditional herbal medicine
MedicinalIn traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, tiger lily bulbs are used to treat digestive issues, reduce inflammation, and calm the nervous system. Some herbalists use it as a mild sedative and to support overall wellness. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
HouseholdTiger lilies are premium cut flowers prized by florists for dramatic arrangements and bouquets. Their large, showy blooms add vibrant color and exotic appeal to indoor displays and wedding arrangements. [source]
Pollinator and hummingbird attraction
WildlifeThe bright orange flowers and accessible pollen attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making tiger lilies valuable for pollinator gardens. They provide nectar throughout their extended bloom period. [source]
Garden design & ornamental landscaping
CraftTiger lilies are essential plants in cottage gardens, perennial borders, and naturalized plantings, providing vertical interest, bold color, and architectural form. Their ability to multiply via bulbils makes them excellent for creating drifts of flowers. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest bulbils when they darken to reddish-brown (late summer) and fall easily from the stem with gentle touch. Collect and plant immediately in moist potting mix or store in cool, moist sand at 40°F until spring. For cut flowers, cut stems early morning when one or two flowers are open; recut stems at 45° angle underwater; place in vase immediately; remove stamens to prevent pollen from staining.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Tiger lilies reproduce through three methods: underground bulbs, bulbils (aerial bulbs) that form on the stem, and potentially from seed, making them one of the most prolific lilies in gardens—so prolific that they're considered invasive in some regions.
- 🌱 Tiger lily bulbs are cultivated commercially in Asia as a food crop, harvested for their sweet, nutty flavor, and are sold fresh, dried, or canned in Asian markets under the name 'bai he' (white lily) or 'lily bulb'.
- 🌱 The orange pollen of tiger lilies stains clothing permanently and can irritate skin and eyes, leading florists to remove stamens before arranging them in bouquets; one flower can produce enough pollen to stain multiple fabrics.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Tiger Lily planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Tiger Lily 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 Tiger Lily timeline →