Desert Lily Plant Care

Desert Lily (Eremocrinum albomarginatum) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Eremocrinum genus. Desert Lily is native to the western United States.

Desert Lily displays a tall, slender stalks with clusters of leaves at the top growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Desert Lily produces large clusters of small white flowers on tall stalks.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Lily every 10–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Desert Lily thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Desert Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Eremocrinum albomarginatum tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Desert Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Desert Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Lily every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

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

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Lily is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Desert Lily can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Desert Lily while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Desert Lily is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Lily can be propagated through offsets, seeds.

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Desert Lily is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs. 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.

Desert Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Desert Lily is native to the western United States. In cooler regions, grow Desert Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.