Lilium lancifolium (IXc/d)

RHS Plant Profile
tiger lily

Other common names

devil lily, kentan, spear-leaved lily

Synonyms

Lilium tigrinum

Bulbs

A robust, stem-rooting, clump-forming lily with dark purple stems and shiny, narrow, dark green leaves up to 20cm long. Purplish-black bulbils are produced in the upper leaf axils. Up to 40, nodding, orange, turkscap flowers, with dark purple spots, are produced in late summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Liliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. TOXIC to pets if eaten (cats) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Lilium are bulbous perennials with erect stems bearing whorled or spirally arranged leaves and terminal racemes or umbels of bowl-shaped, trumpet-shaped, funnel-shaped or turks cap shaped flowers, often fragrant, and white, yellow, orange or red
Name Status
Correct
Horticultural Group
These include lily species and cultivars of lily species with downward-facing flowers
Plant Range
E China, Japan, Korea

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers moist, acid soil enriched with leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter, but will tolerate some lime

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown as soon as ripe; by removing bulblets from parent bulbs as they become dormant; by removing bulbils from the leaf axils; or by scaling. See bulb propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to lily beetle, aphids, slugs, snails, Thrips, leatherjackets, and wireworms, and to damage by rabbits and voles; plants in containers may be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and a virus; see lily diseases