Cup Lily Plant Care
Lilium lophophorum Franch.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lilium lophophorum is a species of plant in the lily family Liliaceae. First described in 1898 by Adrien René Franchet and Édouard Bureau, it is found in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, where it grows on mountain slopes and alpine regions of elevations between 2,500–4,500 metres (8,200–14,800 ft).
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Cup Lily?
Water Cup 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.
Where Is the Cup Lily Native To?
What Is the Cup Lily?
Cup Lily (Lilium lophophorum) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Lilium genus. Cup Lily is native to the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Cup Lily displays an upright, tall perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Cup 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 Cup Lily?
Lilium lophophorum 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 Cup Lily Need?
Cup Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cup Lily Prefer?
Lilium lophophorum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Cup Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cup Lily?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Cup Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cup Lily?
Feed Cup 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 Cup 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 Cup Lily?
Cup 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 Cup 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 Cup Lily?
Cup 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 Cup Lily Need?
Cup Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Cup Lily is native to the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. In cooler regions, grow Cup Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Cup 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.
Cup 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 lophophorum Franch., family Liliaceae (first published in J. Bot. (Morot) 12: 221 (1898)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Cup 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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