Bluebead Lily Plant Care
Clintonia borealis (Aiton) Raf.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Clintonia borealis is a species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae. The specific epithet borealis means "of the north," which alludes to the fact that the species tends to thrive in the boreal forests of eastern Canada and northeastern United States.
Every 5–7 days
Shade to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bluebead Lily?
Water Bluebead Lily every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it shade to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Bluebead Lily?
Bluebead Lily (Clintonia borealis) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Clintonia genus. Bluebead Lily is also known as Yellow Bluebead, Corn Lily, Northern Clintonia.
Bluebead Lily displays a low rosette, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Bluebead Lily produces small, bell-shaped white or greenish flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bluebead Lily?
Clintonia borealis requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Bluebead Lily Need?
Bluebead Lily thrives in shade to partial shade. Avoid placing Bluebead Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Shade to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bluebead Lily Prefer?
Clintonia borealis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Bluebead Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bluebead Lily?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Bluebead Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bluebead Lily?
Feed Bluebead 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 Bluebead 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 Bluebead Lily?
Bluebead Lily can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to california clintonia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Bluebead Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bluebead 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 Bluebead Lily?
Bluebead Lily is susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids. 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 Bluebead Lily Need?
Bluebead Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Bluebead Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Bluebead 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 Clintonia genus — compare its care with other Clintonia species on PlantoScan.
Clintonia is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.
Bluebead Lily copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Clintonia borealis (Aiton) Raf., family Liliaceae (first published in Atlantic J. 1: 120 (1832)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bluebead 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Bluebead 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.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species