Cardiocrinum giganteum, giant Himalayan lily
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Perennials

Cardiocrinum giganteum

giant Himalayan lily

Liliaceae

Himalayas (Afghanistan to China), Myanmar

At a Glance

TypeBulb
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m)
Width2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Maturity7 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Fragrant (strong)
Maintenancemoderate

Overview

A monocarpic bulbous perennial reaching 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m) tall in flower, with individual plants taking 3-7 years from bulb to first flowering. Bulbs are large, tunicate, green-scaled, planted at or just below the soil surface with the tip exposed. Basal leaves in non-flowering years are broadly ovate to heart-shaped, 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) long and 8-14 inches (20-35 cm) wide, with prominent veins, glossy dark green, forming a rosette. In the flowering year, a stout hollow stem emerges with progressively smaller stem leaves. The terminal raceme bears 15-20 fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers, each 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long, white with purple-red streaking in the throat, held horizontally or slightly nodding, opening in succession over 3-5 weeks. After flowering, the main bulb dies, but 2-5 offset bulbils at the base persist and grow on; these offsets typically require 3-4 more years before they flower. Seed capsules are large, brown, and ornamental, persisting through autumn.

Native Range

Native to the Himalayas from Afghanistan east through Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim into southwestern China (Yunnan, Sichuan), and to Myanmar. Found in moist, sheltered montane forest understories at elevations of 6,500-11,500 feet (2,000-3,500 m) in deep, humus-rich, cool, well-drained soils with high moisture during the growing season.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen plant in sheltered, moist, shaded or partly shaded gardens at 24-36 inch (60-90 cm) spacing. Suited to large woodland gardens and sheltered borders alongside large shrubs that provide scale. Not suited to small gardens, full-sun positions, or dry sites. Planting in staggered groups of bulbs of different ages produces successive yearly flowering once the group matures.

How to Identify

Recognized by the combination of very large glossy heart-shaped basal leaves 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) long in a rosette, and the flowering stem 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m) tall bearing a raceme of 15-20 large white trumpet flowers 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long with purple-red throat markings. Non-flowering plants are identified by the large-leaved rosette and the green-scaled bulb at or near the soil surface. The monocarpic habit (main bulb dying after flowering) and large offset bulbils distinguish it from true lilies (Lilium), which do not die after flowering.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 12'
Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 7 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white
purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Summer
July through August in zones 6-8 in the Pacific Northwest. Individual flowers open successively over 3-5 weeks per stem. Fragrance is strong and carries 20-30 feet (6-9 m) in still air. Plants grown from bulbils of known age flower reliably 3-4 years after division; plants grown from seed require 5-7 years to flower.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with purple-red throat streaking; large trumpets held horizontally

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green, broadly heart-shaped, large

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loampeat
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-7 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant bulbs in autumn with the tip at or just below soil level in deep, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil in partial shade. Avoid full sun; strong sun bleaches and scorches the large leaves. Keep soil consistently moist through the growing season. Apply a deep mulch of 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) of composted leaf material to retain moisture and protect the bulb from hard freezes. After the main bulb flowers and dies, carefully excavate the base to locate offset bulbils; replant at 18-24 inch (45-60 cm) spacing. Provide a stake for flowering stems in exposed sites, as stems can blow over at full height.

Pruning

Allow the flowering stem and seed capsules to remain after bloom; the large brown seed capsules provide autumn interest and seeds can be collected when capsules crack. Cut the dead flowering stem to ground level in late autumn. Do not disturb offset bulbils during summer; allow them to establish undisturbed for one full growing season before moving.

Pruning Schedule

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fall

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown