Heartleaf lily Plant Care
Cardiocrinum cordatum Makino
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cardiocrinum cordatum, known as turep in the Ainu languages, is a Northeast Asian species of plant in the lily family. It is native to Japan and to certain Russian islands in the Sea of Okhotsk.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to dappled sunlight
50–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Heartleaf lily?
Water Heartleaf 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 Heartleaf lily Native To?
What Is the Heartleaf lily?
Heartleaf lily (Cardiocrinum cordatum) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Cardiocrinum genus. Heartleaf lily is native to Japan and to certain Russian islands in the Sea of Okhotsk. Heartleaf lily is also known as Giant lily, Japanese giant lily.
Heartleaf lily displays a tall, majestic perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Heartleaf lily produces large, fragrant white trumpet-shaped flowers in summer.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Heartleaf lily?
Cardiocrinum cordatum 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 Heartleaf lily Need?
Heartleaf lily thrives in partial shade to dappled sunlight. Avoid placing Heartleaf 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 Heartleaf lily Prefer?
Cardiocrinum cordatum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Heartleaf 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 Heartleaf lily?
Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Heartleaf lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Heartleaf lily?
Feed Heartleaf 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 Heartleaf 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 Heartleaf lily?
Heartleaf lily can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chinese giant lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Heartleaf 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 Heartleaf lily?
Heartleaf 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 Heartleaf lily Need?
Heartleaf lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Heartleaf lily is native to Japan and to certain Russian islands in the Sea of Okhotsk. In cooler regions, grow Heartleaf lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Heartleaf 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.
Heartleaf 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 cordatum Makino, family Liliaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 27: 124 (1913)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Heartleaf 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.
- 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.
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