Image: AI generated
Tiger Lily Plant Care
Lilium lancifolium Thunb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognized by its elongated lance-shaped leaves and vibrant orange flowers. Originating from Eastern Asia, specifically China, Korea, and Japan, Lilium lancifolium is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique and striking appearance in the garden.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tiger Lily?
Water Tiger 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. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats but non-toxic to dogs, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Tiger Lily Native To?
What Is the Tiger Lily?
Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Lilium genus. Tiger Lily is native to China, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East. Tiger Lily is also known as Leopard Lily, Orange Lily, Medicinal Lily.
Tiger Lily displays an upright, tall perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tiger 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 Tiger Lily?
Lilium lancifolium 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 Tiger Lily Need?
Tiger Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tiger Lily Prefer?
Lilium lancifolium grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Tiger Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tiger Lily?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Tiger Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tiger Lily?
Feed Tiger 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 Tiger 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 Tiger Lily?
Tiger 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 Tiger Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats but non-toxic to dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
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 Tiger Lily?
Tiger 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 Tiger Lily Need?
Tiger Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3 – 8. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Tiger Lily is native to China, Japan, Korea, and the Russian Far East.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3 – 8
Keep exploring plants
Tiger 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.
Tiger 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 lancifolium Thunb., family Liliaceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 2: 333 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Tiger Lily as toxic to cats but non-toxic to dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3 – 8, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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