How to Grow Tiger Lilies (with Pictures) (2024)

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Co-authored byLauren Kurtz

Last Updated: December 1, 2023References

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   Choose a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Tiger lilies are "full sunlight" plants. They grow well in warm, open areas. Since tiger lilies are so hardy, they may even survive in partial shade, but try to maximize the amount of sunlight your lily bulbs receive.^[1]

   • Areas with partial shade receive between 3 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. If possible, the best time for tiger lilies to receive shade is in the afternoon, when the weather is hottest.
   • Your tiger lilies will grow towards the sun if you plant them in a shady spot.
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   Pick a patch of soil that drains well. Tiger lilies aren’t capable of surviving in standing water. You can test your soil by digging a hole and filling it with water. Good soil drains within about 10 minutes. Avoid any areas where the water lingers or the soil stays saturated for hours.^[2]

   • Tiger lilies may still survive in heavy, slow-draining soil such as clay. You will just have to amend it by mixing in compost before planting the tiger lilies.
   • You can also grow tiger lilies in pots filled with a quality potting mix.

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   Grow tiger lilies in slightly acidic soil. Slightly acidic soil has a pH of 7 or less. You can purchase a soil testing kit from most home improvement stores. The testing kits have probes or paper strips that gauge the soil’s pH rating. Amend the soil to grow big, healthy lilies.

   • To raise the pH, mix agricultural limestone into the soil.
   • Lower the pH by adding sulfur or sulfate to the soil. Organic compost can also reduce the pH over time.

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   See Also

   Tigerlilie, Lilium lancifolium - Pflege-AnleitungTigerlilie: Wirkung & Anwendung | Pascoe NaturmedizinTigerlilie, Lilium lancifolium - Pflanzen und PflegeTigerlilie: Robust und wüchsig

   Plant tiger lilies in early fall or spring. Planting your lilies in spring or fall gives them time to establish roots before the weather becomes too extreme. The best time is 2 or 3 weeks before your area experiences freezing temperatures, which is anything under 32°F (0°C). Since tiger lilies bloom so late in the year, you may plant them in early spring if fall planting isn’t an option.^[3]

   • Research the dates of the first and last frost in your area. You can find this information online and it will help you avoid the harsh temperatures that can harm lilies.
2. 2

   Dig holes 2 to 3 times deeper than each bulb and space them apart. Tiger lilies grow from bulbs. Check your bulb’s size to figure out how big to make the hole. Expect to dig holes about 6in (15cm) deep for each bulb. Dig separate holes at least 8in (20cm) apart for each bulb.^[4]

   • Many gardeners plant 3 bulbs together in each hole. You can do this if you want to grow clusters of flowers.
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   Place the bulb in the hole with the stem pointed upwards. The bulbs will look like little round balls. They may already have roots or a stem sprouting from them. Identify the wider, flatter end of the bulb and place it down against the soil. Center the bulb in the hole.^[5]

   • If you are unsure which side needs to face upwards, lay the bulb on its side. The sprout will find its way to the surface.
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   Backfill the hole and water it thoroughly. Push any dug-up soil back into the hole, burying the bulb completely. Then, smooth the soil with a rake. Water the soil deeply with a hose or watering can to penetrate the soil down to the bulb.^[6]

   • Watering the soil pushes out air pockets, creating a fertile bed for the tiger lily bulbs to grow in.
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   Cover the growing area with 2in (5.1cm) of organic mulch. Pick up a mulch like pine bark from your local garden center. Spread it around the bulbs, raking it flat. Your bulbs should be well set in the soil, so you can wait out the winter in anticipation of next summer’s blooms.^[7]

   • Adding mulch seals in moisture and insulates the bulbs from cold temperatures.

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1. 1

   Water tiger lilies once a week starting in spring. Water the lilies deeply each week, enough to moisten the soil. Although lilies are considered to be a drought-tolerant plant, they do still need water, especially when you don’t get a lot of rain in your area. You may need to provide water more often during dry periods.

   • You can check the soil by pushing a pole or your finger into it. The soil should be soft and wet at least 2 to 3in (5.1 to 7.6cm) down.
   • Moist soil also sticks together when you roll it around in your hand.
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   Apply compost up to twice a year in spring and fall. Tiger lilies survive well on their own in nature, so they don’t need a lot of extra nutrients in your yard. If you want to add about 2in (5.1cm) of an organic compost, do it before the lilies go dormant in winter or begin to flower in summer. This will keep your soil rich and your lilies strong.^[8]

   • Adding the compost in spring may lead to stronger, healthier blooms in summer.
   • You can also add a 5-10-5 fertilizer instead of compost. This fertilizer is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen and potassium.
3. 3

   Mulch tiger lilies in spring and fall as needed. Renew the mulch layer for your lilies at least once a year. Add 2 to 3in (5.1 to 7.6cm) around each plant to insulate it and trap in moisture. This is a good way to shield the lilies from harsh temperatures in summer and winter.^[9]

   • Organic compost also serves as insulation and nutrition. Be careful when adding both compost and mulch, since you don’t want the soil to get too moist. You may want to only use 1 at a time.
   • Mulching works best if you live in climates prone to dry summers or frosty winters.
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   Prune off yellowed leaves and stalks in the fall. Tiger lilies send up their big, spotted flowers in summer. By fall, the leaves and stems turn yellow from the bottom-up. Prune these parts off with a sharp pair of gardening scissors. Cut underneath the yellowed portions to keep your lilies looking neat.^[10]

   • You can also cut off the flowers once they begin to wilt. This can help your lilies preserve nutrients so they grow back stronger next year.
   • Don’t worry about trimming tiger lilies too much. They are perennials that grow back quickly every year.
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   Treat aphids and other pests with neem oil. Tiger lilies don’t have to contend with many pests or diseases. The main threats to worry about are aphids and red lily beetles. Spray the oil on the lilies as they grow to protect them. Neem oil is harmless to people, pets, and other wildlife, so it’s the best solution out there.^[11]

   • You can use other insecticides, but make sure you wear protective gear like a respirator mask and keep other people away from the area.
   • Tiger lilies are resistant to the mosaic lily virus but often carry it. Insects like aphids can spread it to other lily varieties, causing streaky, spotted foliage.

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1. 1

   Divide bulbs every 3 to 5 years in early fall or spring. Tiger lilies can overwhelm your yard within a few seasons, but dividing the bulbs is a way to prevent this. You will need to dig up every bulb you have planted. Hopefully you remember where they are! Wait until the bulbs turn brown in fall, or take care of it before the lilies begin growing vigorously in spring.^[12]

   • Fall and early in the spring are the best seasons for this since the bulbs are mostly dormant.
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   Dig the bulbs up carefully. Avoid digging straight down in the soil. You might hit the bulb and permanently damage it. Stand away from the lily and begin digging with a shovel or spade. Carefully clear out the dirt to expose the bulb. Remove the bulb from the soil so you can separate it.^[13]

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   Separate the new bulbs by pulling them from the old bulb. Look closely at the old bulb. You will probably see 2 or 3 smaller bulbs besides it. Pull these new bulbs off carefully. Separate all the bulbs so you can replant them.^[14]

   • If you’re having trouble, you may be able to use gardening forks or a knife to divide the bulbs.
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   Replant the bulbs in separate holes in your yard. If you want to grow all of the bulbs, all you have to do is plant the bulbs in the ground. Dig new holes about 2 times as deep as each bulb. The newer bulbs will need slightly shallower holes than the original bulb did, which you can put back in its original hole. Remember to space the bulbs out by about 8in (20cm), if possible, so they have plenty of growing space.^[15]

   • New bulbs should be replanted immediately so they don’t dry out. You can also store them in dry peat moss placed in a cool, dark area.
   • You can put excess bulbs in pots or give them away as gifts.
   • If you don’t need all of the bulbs, compost them. Tiger lilies are widespread, so don’t feel bad about stemming their growth.

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   See Also

   Tiger Lily: Cultivation, Lifespan, Cultivars & Problems - AMERICAN GARDENER

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