Also known as Nippon Lily · 52 gardener saves
Rohdea: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Rohdea, the genus most gardeners know as nippon lily. We track 14 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 Rohdea varieties
Of 14 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedJapanese Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Mure Suzume'
#2 most savedJapanese Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Apple Court'
#3 most savedNippon Lily
Rohdea japonica
Nobori Ryu Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Nobori Ryu'
Taiwan Sacred Lily
Rohdea chinensis 'Taiwan'
Japanese Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Talbot Manor'
Japanese Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Twist and Shout'
Japanese Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Herbie'
Japanese Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Gunjaku'
Japanese Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Chirimen Boshi'
Japanese Sacred Lily
Rohdea japonica 'Fuji No Yuki'
Japanese Sacred Lily Yattazu Yan Jaku
Rohdea japonica 'Yattazu Yan Jaku'
Browse all 14 Rohdea varieties →
How to grow Rohdea
What the Rohdea varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Rohdea year
- DivideMarch and September93% of varieties
Divide only when clumps become overcrowded (rarely needed).
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March93% of varieties
Remove any old, yellowing, or winter-damaged foliage.
- MulchMarch50% of varieties
Refresh organic mulch to maintain cool, moist soil.
- FertilizeMarch50% of varieties
Apply a light, balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring
Do
- Water consistently during dry periods 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged leaves in early spring
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t expose to full sun, which can scorch leaves
- Avoid overwatering in winter ❌
- Do not expose to direct, harsh sunlight
What goes wrong with Rohdea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale insects | Sticky honeydew on leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf spot | Brown spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation |
Making more Rohdea
Division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
- Gently separate rhizomes with a sharp knife.
- Plant divisions immediately into prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Repeat every 3-4 years for best results.
Seed
- Sow seeds in a moist seed-starting mix in early spring.
- Lightly cover with soil and keep moist.
- Maintain temperature around 65°F (18°C).
- Germination occurs in 4-6 weeks.
- Transplant seedlings when large enough.
Rohdea questions
How many types of Rohdea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Rohdea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 52 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Rohdea grow in?
Across its varieties, Rohdea covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Rohdea bloom?
Most Rohdea varieties bloom in early spring, late summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Rohdea 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
Design with Rohdea 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.
