Mountain Lily Plant Care
Leucocrinum montanum Nutt. ex A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Leucocrinum montanum, commonly known as the common starlily, sandlily, or mountain lily, is the only species in the monotypic genus Leucocrinum, which was placed in the asparagus family in 2009. It is a common and widespread early spring wildflower on the shortgrass prairie, the central and southern Rocky Mountains, and the Intermountain West.
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mountain Lily?
Water Mountain Lily every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Mountain Lily?
Mountain Lily (Leucocrinum montanum) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Leucocrinum genus. Mountain Lily is also known as Sand Lily, St. Bernard's Lily.
Mountain Lily displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mountain Lily produces small white bell-shaped flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mountain Lily?
Leucocrinum montanum 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 Mountain Lily Need?
Mountain Lily thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mountain Lily Prefer?
Leucocrinum montanum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Mountain Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mountain Lily?
Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mountain Lily?
Feed Mountain 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 Mountain 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 Mountain Lily?
Mountain Lily can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds.
Is the Mountain Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mountain 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 Mountain Lily?
Mountain Lily is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Mountain Lily Need?
Mountain Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Mountain Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Mountain 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 Leucocrinum genus — compare its care with other Leucocrinum species on PlantoScan.
Leucocrinum is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Mountain 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: Leucocrinum montanum Nutt. ex A.Gray, family Asparagaceae (first published in Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York 4: 110 (1837)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mountain 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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