Tiger lilies grow best in the sun in slightly acidic, well-draining soil.
The plant tolerates swings in temperature and humidity without fuss.
The pollen is toxic to humans, and the plant is toxic to cats, not dogs or horses.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
Tiger Lily Care
Here are the main care requirements for successfully growing easy-care tiger lilies.
However, these tough specimens are not nearly as fussy about growing conditions as many other flowering plants.
They will tolerate partial shade and benefit from shade from the hot afternoon sun.
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Soil
You might need to amend your soil with compost or humus for proper bulb drainage.
Peat moss, sand, or straw mixed into the beds can improve drainage and retain appropriate moisture.
Otherwise, tiger lilies can tolerate various soil types, though they prefer moderately fertile andslightly acidic soil.
‘Stargazer’ lilyPanoramic Images / Getty Images
Water
Tiger lilies have average water needs.
Mature plants can tolerate some drought, but they still prefer consistent watering.
If your area receives regular rainfall, that should be sufficient to keep them happy.
The temperature shouldn’t be an issue if you live within theirUSDA hardiness zones.
Tiger lilies grow well in humid and dry environments, provided the soil moisture is appropriate.
Fertilizer
Tiger lilies don’t need much fertilizer.
Apply mulch in late spring to keep the roots cool during the summer.
If you want to encourage more flowering, you’re free to use a5-10-5 fertilizer.
When growing these plants in alkaline soils, feeding with an acidifyingfertilizermight be beneficial.
Types of Tiger Lily
The familiar orange tiger lily is a pure species with no named cultivars.L.
lancifoliumhas been crossed with other species to create lilies with red, pink, white, and yellow flowers.
These two characteristics are not found together in any other throw in of lilies.
There are also many other related species and hybrids within the genusLilium.
The official classification system has nine individual classes of lilies.
These yellow leaves won’t be as noticeable if the plants grow in the garden bed’s back row.
Here’s how:
Bulbils form along the stem of the plant at the leaf axils.
If you wish to minimize spreading, remove and dispose of the bulbils.
Or, if you prefer to propagate, remove the bulbils and pot them.
Bulbils take an extra year of growth before they bloom.
Unglazed clay is an ideal container material because it allows excess moisture to evaporate through its walls.
Use a quality, well-draining potting mix.
Youll likely have to repot or divide your plant every few years.
To repot, gently ease the plant out of its old pot.
Fill around it with fresh potting mix.
Overwintering
Tiger lilies will go dormant over the winter.
Don’t water, and always plant in well-draining soil.
Move potted plants out of the way of any precipitation.
However, they can harbor viruses, such as lily mosaic virus, that can harm other lilies.
Lily leaf beetles (Lilioceris lilii) andaphidscan be problematic pests for the lilies.
While the flowers only bloom once annually, the bloom period can stretch into early fall.
What Does Tiger Lily Look and Smell Like?
The flowers also come in red, white, pink, or yellow.
They typically measure about five inches long and usually face downward.
Tiger lilies are unscented.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Continue to ensure proper moisture levels while the plant is in bloom.
Tiger lilies only bloom once a year, producing as many as 10 flowers per stem.
Do so when the foliage is yellow between fall and spring, before the plant’s growth period.
Common Problems With Tiger Lily
Tiger lilies tend to thrive when given the environment they like.
But if conditions are off, they can develop some problems.
Watch for these signs.
An overall droopy appearance or a lack of blooms can also be signs of too much moisture.
Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
Aphids are enemies of most lilies and can multiply quickly.
Use insecticidal sprays to reduce the aphid population.
Spray the leaves with insecticides to kill these pests.
Tiger lilies can grow up to 5 feet tall, but others can grow taller.
Their blooms are not as large as other lilies.
They have a distinctive orange color with black freckles and are among the hardiest and longest-living of the lilies.
Tiger lilies are perennial flowers, and they will grow back every year.
Plant the lily bulbs in the fall or spring.
Blooms will be expected by mid-to-late summer.
People oftenconfuse the typical orange tiger lily with a daylily(Hemerocallis).
However, these two flowers are very different.
A tiger lily is a true lily, and a daylily is not a true lily.
The flowers also have different root systems, petals, and leaf shapes.
Quickly tell the difference with the petals.
A tiger lily’s petals are curled back, and a daylily’s petals stand upright.
Lilium Lancifolium.Chicago Botanic Garden.
Lilium (Group) - Plant Finder.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Flowers and their meanings: The language of flowers.
North American Lily Society.
Lily leaf beetles.Michigan State University Extension.
