bulb corm tuber

Madonna Lily

Lilium candidum

The Story

Plant Bio

Lilium candidum, the Madonna lily, is a bulbous geophyte producing an erect, unbranched flowering stem that reaches four to six feet in height. Uniquely among lilies, it produces a flush of broad, bright green basal rosette leaves in fall that persist through the winter months.

The terminal flower spikes bear five to twenty horizontal, funnel-shaped flowers of pure dazzling white with prominent golden-yellow anthers. The blooms emit a powerful, sweet fragrance during their early to midsummer display.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces tall, elegant spires of pure white, highly fragrant flowers that make exceptional cut blooms.

Provides winter green structure in the garden via its persistent basal rosette.

Attracts bees and other generalist insect pollinators with its rich nectar and strong fragrance.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Bulb Corm Tuber

Height

72"

Width

18"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Balkans and Middle East

Toxicity

Highly toxic to cats; toxic to dogs and horses

Bloom period

Early summer – Midsummer

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with rich, fertile, neutral to alkaline soil that offers exceptional drainage.
Dig a shallow hole and position the bulb so that its tip will be covered by only one to two inches of soil.
Water sparingly during the summer dormancy period, but maintain even soil moisture during active spring growth.
Allow the flowering stems to turn completely yellow and die back naturally in late summer before cutting them to ground level.

Pro Tip

Plant the bulbs incredibly shallowly, covering the tips with only one to two inches of soil; deep planting traps moisture and invariably triggers fatal crown and basal rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant bulbs shallowly with the nose sitting just beneath the soil surface.
Ensure the soil is highly permeable and lime-rich or chalky.
Provide full sun for the upper stems while keeping the root zone cool and shaded.
Remove and destroy any plants showing signs of viral infection immediately.

Don't

Do not bury the bulbs deep in the soil like other lily species.
Do not apply heavy chemical, high-nitrogen fertilizers that encourage soft, disease-prone growth.
Do not prune away green foliage after flowering while it is still manufacturing food for the bulb.
Do not allow cats near the plants, as all parts are highly toxic and cause acute kidney failure.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Plant
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Cottage gardensMixed bordersCutting gardensScented gardensContainer specimens

Companion Plants

Salvia Lavandula Gypsophila Nepeta

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Madonna Lily questions

What zones can Madonna Lily grow in?

Madonna Lily is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Madonna Lily deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Madonna Lily, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Madonna Lily bloom?

Madonna Lily typically blooms in early summer through midsummer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Madonna Lily need full sun?

Madonna Lily does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Madonna Lily drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Madonna Lily handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.