Lilium, Asiatic lilies
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Perennials

Lilium

Asiatic lilies

Liliaceae

Hybrid origin; parent species from central and eastern Asia

At a Glance

TypeBulb
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height18-48 inches (45-120 cm)
Width6-12 inches (15-30 cm)

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Asiatic lily hybrids (Division I) are among the most widely grown of all ornamental bulbs, forming the Asiatic Division of the hybrid lily classification system. They are derived from crosses involving Lilium asiatic species including L. amabile, L. bulbiferum, L. cernuum, L. concolor, L. davidii, L. lancifolium, L. leichtlinii, and others native to central and eastern Asia. Plants grow from large, scaly bulbs producing erect, leafy stems 18–48 inches (45–120 cm) tall with narrow, lance-shaped leaves arranged spirally along the stem. In early to midsummer, stems bear 4–12 or more upward-facing (most cultivars), outward-facing, or pendent flowers 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) across with six tepals in white, yellow, orange, red, pink, or near-black, often with contrasting spots or brushmarks. Asiatic lilies are the hardiest and easiest lily group, tolerating zones 3–8, and are not fragrant (unlike Oriental and Orienpet groups). Caution: all parts of Lilium species are highly toxic to cats, causing acute and often fatal kidney failure.

Native Range

Asiatic lily hybrids are of complex garden origin, derived from species native to central and eastern Asia — primarily China, Japan, Korea, Siberia, and adjacent regions. The parent species grow in diverse habitats from alpine meadows and rocky slopes to forest margins.

Suggested Uses

Planted in mixed perennial borders, cutting gardens, and containers at 8–12 inch (20–30 cm) spacing. The wide color range and early bloom season make Asiatic lilies versatile companions for roses, alliums, and early summer perennials. Excellent cut flowers lasting 7–10 days; remove stamens to prevent pollen staining. Not suitable for gardens with cats.

How to Identify

Identified by erect, leafy stems bearing clusters of upward-facing to outward-facing, six-tepaled flowers 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) across in a broad range of warm and cool colors, typically unscented. Narrow, spirally arranged stem leaves and large, scaly bulbs are characteristic. Distinguished from Oriental lilies by the absence of fragrance and earlier bloom period (June–July vs. July–August).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 4'
Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

white
yellow
orange
red
pink
black

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Summer
Blooms June through July in zones 3–8, making Asiatic lilies the earliest of the major hybrid groups. Individual flower clusters bloom over 2–3 weeks per stem. Planting early, mid, and late-season Asiatic cultivars can extend the group's collective bloom window from late May through late July. Stems do not rebloom; new stems grow from the bulb the following season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white, yellow, orange, red, pink, near-black; often spotted or brushmarked

Foliage Description

medium green, narrow and lance-shaped, spirally arranged

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-8 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 Range6.0 - 6.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant bulbs in fall or early spring 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) deep and 12 inches (30 cm) apart in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0–6.5. Good drainage is critical — bulbs rot in waterlogged soil. Mulch to keep roots cool. Water during active growth; reduce after foliage yellows. Allow foliage to die back naturally to replenish the bulb. Apply a balanced fertilizer when shoots emerge. Lift and divide congested clumps every 3–4 years. All parts are highly toxic to cats — keep away from areas accessible to cats.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower heads by snapping or cutting them off, but leave the full stem and foliage intact until they yellow and die back naturally — the stem and leaves photosynthesize to rebuild the bulb for next year. Cut stems to ground only after they have turned yellow. Stake tall cultivars (over 36 inches/90 cm) in exposed positions.

Pruning Schedule

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summerfall

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets