Also known as Toad Lily · 699 gardener saves
Tricyrtis: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Tricyrtis, the genus most gardeners know as toad lily. We track 31 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 Tricyrtis varieties
Of 31 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedAutumn Glow Toad Lily
Tricyrtis formosana 'Autumn Glow'
#2 most savedGilt Edge Toad Lily
Tricyrtis hirta 'Gilt Edge'
#3 most savedWando Toad Lily
Tricyrtis macropoda 'Wando'
Empress Toad Lily
Tricyrtis x hybrida 'Empress'
White Waves toad lily
Tricyrtis hirta 'White Waves'
Samurai Toad Lily
Tricyrtis formosana 'Samurai'
Tricolor Toad Lily
Tricyrtis macropoda 'Tricolor'
Dark Beauty Toad Lily
Tricyrtis hirta 'Dark Beauty'
Dwarf Toad Lily
Tricyrtis nana
Toad Lily
Tricyrtis affinis 'Key Lime Pie'
Toad Lily
Tricyrtis affinis 'Lunar Landing'
Toad Lily
Tricyrtis latifolia
Browse all 31 Tricyrtis varieties →
How to grow Tricyrtis
What the Tricyrtis varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 31 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Tricyrtis year
- DivideMarch94% of varieties
Divide crowded clumps every 3-5 years to maintain vigor.
- MulchMarch and April81% of varieties
Apply 2 inches of organic mulch to keep roots cool and moist.
- FertilizeMarch74% of varieties
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer as new growth begins.
- Spring CleanupFebruary68% of varieties
Cut back old stems and dead foliage before new growth emerges.
- Check for PestsApril–June52% of varieties
Monitor for slugs and snails, especially in moist conditions
- PlantMarch, April and September35% of varieties
Plant or transplant in early spring or early fall.
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Apply mulch to conserve moisture
- Mulch around plants to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Refrain from heavy pruning after flowering
- Refrain from heavy fertilizing late in the season
What goes wrong with Tricyrtis
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Slugs | Chewed leaves and slime trails | Handpick or set slug traps |
| Root rot | Wilting despite watering | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Botrytis | Gray mold on flowers and stems | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Gray mold | Gray fuzzy patches on foliage | Improve air circulation and remove affected parts |
Making more Tricyrtis
Division
- Dig up mature plants in early spring.
- Separate clumps with a sharp knife or spade.
- Plant divisions immediately at same depth.
- Water thoroughly and mulch.
Seed
- Sow seeds on moist surface in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist.
- Germination takes approximately 2–3 weeks.
- Transplant seedlings when large enough.
Tricyrtis questions
How many types of Tricyrtis are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 31 distinct Tricyrtis varieties. The most popular — ranked by 699 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Tricyrtis grow in?
Across its varieties, Tricyrtis 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 Tricyrtis bloom?
Most Tricyrtis varieties bloom in late summer to early fall, late summer to early fall, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tricyrtis 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
Tricyrtis shows up in
Related genera
Design with Tricyrtis 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.
