Tree Lily Plant Care
Lilium arboricola Stearn
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lilium arboricola is an epiphytic lily species with green flowers, and orange-red anthers. It was first botanically described by Francis Kingdon-Ward and his assistants Chit Ko Ko and Tha Hla after a collection in the Shan region of Myanmar in 1953.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tree Lily?
Water Tree Lily every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun 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. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Tree Lily?
Tree Lily (Lilium arboricola) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Lilium genus.
Tree Lily displays an upright, tall perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tree Lily produces large, showy flowers in various colors like white, pink, orange, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tree Lily?
Lilium arboricola requires watering every 4–7 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 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tree Lily Need?
Tree Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tree Lily Prefer?
Lilium arboricola grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Tree Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tree Lily?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Tree Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tree Lily?
Feed Tree 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 Tree Lily?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring after flowering. 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 Tree Lily?
Tree Lily can be propagated through division of bulbs, scales, or seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to orange lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tree Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Tree Lily?
Tree Lily is susceptible to aphids, red lily beetles, 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 Tree Lily Need?
Tree Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Tree Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Tree 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 Lilium genus — compare its care with other Lilium species on PlantoScan.
Lilium is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.
Tree Lily thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Lilium Species
Other Lilium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lilium arboricola Stearn, family Liliaceae (first published in Gard. Chron. , ser. 3, 136: 127 (1954)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Tree Lily is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. 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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