Also known as Trout Lily · 161 gardener saves
Erythronium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Erythronium, the genus most gardeners know as trout lily. We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Erythronium varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedUmbilicate Dogtooth Violet
Erythronium umbilicatum
#2 most savedPink Fawn Lily
Erythronium revolutum
#3 most savedCalifornia Fawn Lily White Beauty Fawn Lily
Erythronium californicum 'White Beauty'
Japanese Dogtooth Violet
Erythronium japonicum
Pagoda Trout Lily
Erythronium denscanis 'Pagoda'
White Trout Lily
Erythronium albidum
Dog's-tooth Violet
Erythronium dens-canis
California Fawn Lily
Erythronium californicum
Japanese Dogtooth Violet
Erythronium dens-canis 'Japonicum'
How to grow Erythronium
What the Erythronium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Erythronium year
- PlantAugust–October100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 3-4 inches deep in well-drained soil during fall dormancy
- DivideJune89% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 3-5 years during summer dormancy
- MulchOctober and November67% of varieties
Apply a layer of leaf mold or compost in fall to mimic woodland floor.
- FertilizeFebruary and March44% of varieties
Apply a low-nitrogen bulb fertilizer as foliage appears
Do
- Water consistently during active growth 🌱
- Remove dead leaves to prevent disease
- Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Use organic fertilizer in early spring
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Don’t disturb bulbs during dormancy
- Avoid excessive fertilization which can cause legginess
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
What goes wrong with Erythronium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Slugs | Chewed leaves and flower stems | Use organic slug bait or handpick at night |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Bulb mites | Stunted growth and bulb decay | Apply appropriate insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Slugs and snails | Chewed leaves and flowers | Use organic slug pellets or handpick pests |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs with foul smell | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Gray mold | Fuzzy gray fungal growth on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Fungal rot | Soft, discolored bulbs | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Erythronium
Division
- Dig up bulbs after foliage dies back, in late summer or early fall.
- Gently separate offsets using a sharp knife or hands.
- Plant divisions 3 inches deep in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly and mulch lightly.
- Wait for new growth in spring, approximately 6 weeks.
Seed sowing
- Collect seeds after seed pods mature in late spring.
- Sow seeds on soil surface in a shaded container.
- Mist lightly to keep moist.
- Keep container in a cool, shaded place for 6-8 weeks.
- Transplant seedlings once established.
Erythronium questions
How many types of Erythronium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Erythronium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 161 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Erythronium grow in?
Across its varieties, Erythronium covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Erythronium bloom?
Most Erythronium varieties bloom in early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Erythronium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Erythronium shows up in
Design with Erythronium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
