Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily Plant Care

Calochortus ghiesbreghtii S.Watson

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Calochortus ghiesbreghtii is a Mesoamerican species of plants in the lily family. It is native to Guatemala and to the States of Hidalgo and Chiapas in Mexico.

🌼Perennials🧅Bulbs & Tubers
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily?

Water Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily?

Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily (Calochortus ghiesbreghtii) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Calochortus genus. Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily is native to Guatemala and to the States of Hidalgo and Chiapas in Mexico. Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily is also known as Ghiesbreght Mariposa Lily.

Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily displays an upright, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily produces showy cup-shaped flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily?

Calochortus ghiesbreghtii requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Let soil partially dry between waterings

What Light Does the Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily Need?

Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily Prefer?

Calochortus ghiesbreghtii grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily?

Well-draining sandy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily?

Feed Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.

Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

How Do You Repot a Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily?

Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

How Do You Propagate a Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily?

Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily can be propagated through seeds, bulb offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white globe lily plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily?

Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily Need?

Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily is native to Guatemala and to the States of Hidalgo and Chiapas in Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Calochortus genus — compare its care with other Calochortus species on PlantoScan.

Calochortus is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.

Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Calochortus Species

Other Calochortus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Calochortus ghiesbreghtii S.Watson, family Liliaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 14: 268 (1879)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Ghiesbreght's Mariposa Lily Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species