Also known as Lily · 1.9k gardener saves
Lilium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Lilium, the genus most gardeners know as lily. We track 51 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 12 most-saved Lilium varieties
Of 51 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedWood Lily
Lilium philadelphicum
#2 most savedTree Lily
Lilium x hybrida 'Tree Mix'
#3 most savedTiger Lily
Lilium lancifolium
Canada Lily 'Reverend Walker'
Lilium canadense 'Reverend Walker'
Stargazer Lily
Lilium lancifolium 'Stargazer'
Michigan Lily
Lilium michiganense
Anastasia Lily
Lilium lilium 'Anastasia'
Rosthorn's Lily
Lilium rosthornii
Lilium Sunny Morning
Lilium x hybrida 'Sunny Morning'
Roselily Taurade
Lilium x hybrida 'Pink Taurade'
Tiger Lily
Lilium lancifolium 'Hardy Perennial'
Carolina Lily
Lilium michauxii
Browse all 51 Lilium varieties →
How to grow Lilium
What the Lilium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Lilium year
- PlantSeptember and October100% of varieties
Plant bulbs 6 inches deep in well-drained soil
- FertilizeMarch and May93% of varieties
Apply balanced fertilizer as new growth emerges
- DeadheadJune–August88% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to tidy appearance, but leave the stem intact
- StakeApril–June85% of varieties
Stake tall stems before flowering to prevent flopping.
- Check for PestsApril–June75% of varieties
Watch for red lily beetles, handpick or treat immediately.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March30% of varieties
Cut back old stems to ground level before new growth starts
Do
- Water regularly during active growth 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Support tall stems with stakes
- Water consistently during growing season 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent bulb rot ❌
- Refrain from cutting back foliage until it yellows naturally
- Do not disturb bulbs during dormancy
- Do not plant in heavy clay soil without amendment
What goes wrong with Lilium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Lily Beetle | Chewed foliage and stems | Handpick beetles and apply organic insecticide |
| Lily beetles | Chewed leaves and larvae on stems | Handpick beetles or apply neem oil |
| Lily beetle | Chewed leaves and larvae presence | Handpick beetles and apply insecticidal spray |
| Botrytis (Gray Mold) | Gray fuzzy mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Botrytis blight | Gray mold on flowers and leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Bulb rot | Soft, decayed bulbs | Ensure well-drained soil and avoid overwatering |
Making more Lilium
Division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring
- Separate into smaller sections with roots intact
- Replant immediately at same depth
- Water thoroughly after planting
Bulb division
- Dig up established clumps in early spring or fall.
- Gently separate offsets with a sharp knife.
- Plant divisions 4-6 inches deep in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly and mulch to retain moisture.
Lilium questions
How many types of Lilium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 51 distinct Lilium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.9k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Lilium grow in?
Across its varieties, Lilium 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 Lilium bloom?
Most Lilium varieties bloom in early to mid-summer, mid-summer, early to mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lilium 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
Lilium shows up in
Design with Lilium 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.
