Scrambling Lily Plant Care
Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Geitonoplesium is a genus in the family Asphodelaceae, containing the sole species Geitonoplesium cymosum, commonly known as scrambling lily. The species is a perennial evergreen scrambling vine found in rainforests, sclerophyll forests and woodlands of eastern Australia, and parts of Malesia and Melanesia.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Scrambling Lily?
Water Scrambling Lily every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Scrambling Lily Native To?
What Is the Scrambling Lily?
Scrambling Lily (Geitonoplesium cymosum) belongs to the Asphodelaceae family within the Geitonoplesium genus. Scrambling Lily is native to rainforests, sclerophyll forests and woodlands of eastern Australia, and parts of Malesia and Melanesia. Scrambling Lily is also known as Climbing Lily.
Scrambling Lily displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Scrambling Lily produces small white flowers in terminal clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Scrambling Lily?
Geitonoplesium cymosum 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 Scrambling Lily Need?
Scrambling Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Scrambling Lily Prefer?
Geitonoplesium cymosum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Scrambling Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Scrambling Lily?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Scrambling Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Scrambling Lily?
Feed Scrambling 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 Scrambling 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 Scrambling Lily?
Scrambling Lily can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds.
Is the Scrambling Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Scrambling 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 Scrambling Lily?
Scrambling Lily is susceptible to aphids, snails, slugs. 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 Scrambling Lily Need?
Scrambling Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Scrambling Lily is native to rainforests, sclerophyll forests and woodlands of eastern Australia, and parts of Malesia and Melanesia. In cooler regions, grow Scrambling Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Scrambling 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 Geitonoplesium genus — compare its care with other Geitonoplesium species on PlantoScan.
Geitonoplesium is part of the Asphodelaceae plant family — browse all Asphodelaceae genera and species.
Scrambling 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: Geitonoplesium cymosum (R.Br.) A.Cunn. ex R.Br., family Asphodelaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. 59: t. 3131 (1832)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Scrambling 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 13a, 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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