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Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum)

Lilium longiflorum is a bulbous perennial herb with an upright leafy stem.

LightGrow in full sun while keeping the roots or base shaded; container-grown plants may be given some shade under extremely hot sunlight.
WaterKeep the soil evenly moist but well drained; excessive dryness and deep shade are unfavorable for growth.
TemperatureA single source reports a minimum temperature of about -5 °C, so sources are few. It is generally rated RHS H3.
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Overview

Lilium longiflorum is a bulbous perennial herb with an upright leafy stem.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native range: it is native around Taiwan and Japan's Ryukyu Islands, while some sources extend the range to southern Japan or the Philippines. It occurs on coasts and sea cliffs, on calcareous or coral-rock ground, and also in grasslands, on slopes, and in more fertile, moist environments. It is reported to prefer warmer conditions; in cooler regions, a warm, sheltered position with protection from early frost is recommended.

Characteristics

Mature plants are 45–100 cm tall; sources are few for mature spread, which is reported at about 10–50 cm. The leaves are narrow and elongated, linear to oblong-lanceolate, and green to dark green; some sources describe them as glossy and scattered or spirally arranged along the stem. The flowers are pure white, trumpet-shaped to long-tubular, usually held horizontally outward or slightly nodding, and distinctly fragrant. Sources differ on flowering time, which ranges from late spring into summer depending on origin and cultivation conditions and can also be manipulated horticulturally; the fruit is reported to be a capsule that matures later.

Light

Grow in full sun while keeping the roots or base shaded; container-grown plants may be given some shade under extremely hot sunlight.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but well drained; excessive dryness and deep shade are unfavorable for growth.

Temperature and dormancy

A single source reports a minimum temperature of about -5 °C, so sources are few. It is generally rated RHS H3.

Growing medium and mounting

Well-drained loam rich in organic matter or humus is preferred, though sandy, clay, and calcareous soils are also tolerated; the soil may be acidic, neutral, or alkaline.

Propagation

Lilium longiflorum can be propagated by seed or by dividing bulbs.

Common problems

Potential pests include bulb mites, slugs, snails, aphids, potato aphids, tulip aphids, and narcissus bulb flies; young shoots may also be eaten by rabbits. It may be browsed by white-tailed deer, does not tolerate dryness, and may develop problems when grown repeatedly in the same location. It is sensitive to dryness and early frost; in cooler regions, a warm, sheltered position is preferable.

Identification

Lilium longiflorum has a bulb, upright stem, narrow elongated leaves, and large, pure white, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that usually open horizontally outward; it is a stem-rooting lily.

Photos

Lilium longiflorum
📷 UpstateNYer · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Lilium longiflorum
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · CC0 · source
Lilium longiflorum
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · CC0 · source

Sources