Description
Tiger lily (Lilium lancifolium or Lilium tigrinum) is an herbaceous perennial that grows from bulbs with a moderate growth rate. While it's an Asian species, a tiger lily is not rare to see in the United States. You can plant tiger lily bulbs in the fall or spring and expect blooms in the summertime. The plants have strappy leaves and long flowering stems. Tiger lily flowers feature curved petals and are speckled with dark spots. They're typically orange, though there also are several other tiger lily colors, including red and yellow. Tiger lilies only bloom once per year. However, they're a more profuse bloomer than most lilies, producing as many as 10 flowers per stem. And tiger lilies come back every year, as long as they're well cared for.
How to care for Tiger Lilies
Tiger lilies should require minimal care on your part. The plants will come back year after year, and they'll likely spread to form clumps. You also can grow these flowers in a cutting garden or containers.
The key is to plant your tiger lilies in a spot with good drainage, as a waterlogged area can rot the bulbs. Then, over the first few years, water your lilies regularly until their root system has matured. After that, they can better tolerate some drought and are fairly low-maintenance plants.
Light
Tiger lilies prefer to grow in a sunny location with roughly at least six hours of direct sun on most days. However, these tough specimens are not nearly as fussy about growing conditions as many other flowering plants are. They will tolerate partial shade and can actually benefit when shaded from the hot afternoon sun.
Soil
To ensure proper soil drainage for the bulbs, you might need to amend your soil with compost or humus. Peat moss, sand, or straw mixed into the beds are also options to improve drainage and retain appropriate moisture. Otherwise, tiger lilies can tolerate various soil types, though they prefer soil that's fairly fertile and slightly acidic.
Water
Tiger lilies have average water needs. Mature plants can tolerate some drought, but they still prefer consistent watering. If your area receives regular rainfall, that should be sufficient to keep them happy. If the soil is very dry, you'll probably need to water on a regular basis to prevent the soil from drying out.
Temperature and Humidity
Tiger lilies begin to grow in the spring after the last frost and go dormant in the fall and winter. If you live within their USDA hardiness zones, the temperature shouldn't be an issue. Tiger lilies also grow well in both humid and dry environments, provided the soil moisture is appropriate. They tolerate hot summer days if the bulbs have been planted deep enough to remain cool. It's a good idea to plant lower-growing annual or perennial plants near or around tiger lilies to protect their roots from drying out in hot weather.
Fertilizer
Tiger lilies don't need much fertilizer. A layer of compost around the base of the plants once or twice a year should provide all of the nutrition they require. Apply mulch in late spring to keep the roots cool during the summer. If you want to encourage more flowering, you can use a 5-10-5 fertilizer. When growing these plants in alkaline soils, feeding with an acidifying fertilizer might be beneficial.
How to Grow Tiger Lily From Seed
It’s easy to grow tiger lilies from their seeds, or bulbils. They can be planted in the fall after they’ve ripened on their parent plant or in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Plant each bulbil, roots downward, roughly 1/2 to 1 inch deep. The spot should receive bright, indirect light. Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Root growth will occur over the winter, followed by foliage growth once the temperature warms in the spring.
Potting and Repotting Tiger Lily
When growing tiger lilies in containers, select a pot with drainage holes that’s at least 8 inches wide and deep. Unglazed clay is an ideal container material to allow excess moisture to evaporate through its walls. Use a quality, well-draining potting mix.
You’ll likely have to repot or divide your plant every couple of years. If you notice roots growing out of the drainage holes or popping above the soil line, that’s a good sign that your plant is root-bound and needs a bigger pot. To repot, gently ease the plant out of its old pot. Position it at the same depth in a new pot that allows for a couple inches between the root ball and container wall. Fill around it with fresh potting mix.
See more HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR MOTHER OF MILLIONS SUCCULENTS
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