Robust Foxtail Lily Plant Care
Eremurus robustus Regel
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eremurus robustus, the foxtail lily or giant desert candle, is a species of flowering plant in the asphodel family, native to the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains in Central Asia, that is often used as an ornamental plant.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Robust Foxtail Lily?
Water Robust Foxtail Lily every 7–14 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 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Robust Foxtail Lily Native To?
What Is the Robust Foxtail Lily?
Robust Foxtail Lily (Eremurus robustus) belongs to the Asphodelaceae family within the Eremurus genus. Robust Foxtail Lily is native to the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains in Central Asia, that is often used as an ornamental plant. Robust Foxtail Lily is also known as Foxtail Lily, Desert Candle.
Robust Foxtail Lily displays a tall spiky perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Robust Foxtail Lily produces tall spikes of colorful flowers in shades of orange, yellow, pink, or white.
How Often Should You Water a Robust Foxtail Lily?
Eremurus robustus requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Robust Foxtail Lily Need?
Robust Foxtail Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Robust Foxtail Lily Prefer?
Eremurus robustus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Robust Foxtail Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Robust Foxtail Lily?
Well-draining sandy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Robust Foxtail Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Robust Foxtail Lily?
Feed Robust Foxtail 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 Robust Foxtail Lily?
Repot every 3-4 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 Robust Foxtail Lily?
Robust Foxtail Lily can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to foxtail lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Robust Foxtail Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Robust Foxtail 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 Robust Foxtail Lily?
Robust Foxtail 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 Robust Foxtail Lily Need?
Robust Foxtail Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Robust Foxtail Lily is native to the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains in Central Asia, that is often used as an ornamental plant. In cooler regions, grow Robust Foxtail Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Robust Foxtail 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 Eremurus genus — compare its care with other Eremurus species on PlantoScan.
Eremurus is part of the Asphodelaceae plant family — browse all Asphodelaceae genera and species.
Robust Foxtail 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: Eremurus robustus Regel, family Asphodelaceae (first published in Gartenflora 22: 257 (1873)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Robust Foxtail 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.
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