Lilies are perennial flowering plants grown from bulbs. They’re known for their large, showy blooms and are popular in gardens, pots, and cut-flower arrangements.

Main types of lilies

Asiatic lilies

• Early bloomers

• Bright colors (yellow, orange, red, pink)

• Little to no scent

• Very hardy and easy to grow

Oriental lilies

• Large, dramatic flowers

• Strong fragrance

• Bloom later than Asiatic lilies

• Often white, pink, or bi-colored

Trumpet (Aurelian) lilies

• Long, trumpet-shaped flowers

• Fragrant

• Tall plants, great for gardens

Tiger lilies

• Orange with dark spots

• Very hardy

• Distinctive, wild look

Blooming

• Bloom time: late spring to summer

• Each flower lasts 7–14 days

• A single stem can have multiple blooms

Basic care

Light

• Full sun to partial sun (6+ hours ideal)

Water

• Moderate watering

• Soil should drain well; bulbs rot in soggy soil

Soil

• Loose, well-draining soil

• Slightly acidic to neutral

Temperature

• Prefer cooler roots and moderate air temperatures

After flowering

• Remove spent flowers only

• Leave leaves and stems until they turn yellow

• This lets the bulb store energy for next year

• Bulbs can overwinter in the ground in many climates

Indoors vs outdoors

• Indoors: enjoy blooms for a few weeks, then transplant outside if possible

• Outdoors: lilies return yearly and often multiply

⚠️ Important safety note

• Lilies are extremely toxic to cats

• Even pollen or vase water can cause kidney failure

• Keep lilies completely away from cats