Photo: 王天CC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Chinese Giant Lily Plant Care
Cardiocrinum cathayanum (E.H.Wilson) Stearn
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognized by its large, heart-shaped leaves that can grow up to 2 feet long. Originating from the mountains of central China, Cardiocrinum cathayanum is highly sought after by plant collectors for its striking foliage and fragrant white flowers that bloom in late spring.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to dappled sunlight
50–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Giant Lily?
Water Chinese Giant Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to dappled sunlight. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Chinese Giant Lily Native To?
What Is the Chinese Giant Lily?
Chinese Giant Lily (Cardiocrinum cathayanum) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Cardiocrinum genus. Chinese Giant Lily is native to the Provinces of Anhui, Fujian, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang. Chinese Giant Lily is also known as Cathayan Cardiocrinum.
Chinese Giant Lily displays a tall, majestic perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Chinese Giant Lily produces large, fragrant white trumpet-shaped flowers in summer.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese Giant Lily?
Cardiocrinum cathayanum 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 Chinese Giant Lily Need?
Chinese Giant Lily thrives in partial shade to dappled sunlight. Avoid placing Chinese Giant Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to dappled sunlight
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese Giant Lily Prefer?
Cardiocrinum cathayanum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Chinese Giant Lily prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Giant Lily?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Giant Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chinese Giant Lily?
Feed Chinese Giant 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 Chinese Giant 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 Chinese Giant Lily?
Chinese Giant Lily can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to heartleaf lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Giant Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Chinese Giant Lily?
Chinese Giant 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 Chinese Giant Lily Need?
Chinese Giant Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Chinese Giant Lily is native to the Provinces of Anhui, Fujian, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Chinese Giant 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 Cardiocrinum genus — compare its care with other Cardiocrinum species on PlantoScan.
Cardiocrinum is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.
Chinese Giant Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cardiocrinum cathayanum (E.H.Wilson) Stearn, family Liliaceae (first published in Gard. Chron. , ser. 3, 124: 4 (1948)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Chinese Giant Lily is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: 王天, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
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