Small Tiger Lily Plant Care
Lilium parvum Kellogg
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lilium parvum is a species of lily known by the common names Sierra tiger lily and alpine lily. It is native to the mountains of the western United States, primarily the Sierra Nevada of California but also with additional populations in northwestern Nevada and southwestern Oregon.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Small Tiger Lily?
Water Small 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. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Small Tiger Lily Native To?
What Is the Small Tiger Lily?
Small Tiger Lily (Lilium parvum) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Lilium genus. Small Tiger Lily is native to the mountains of the western United States, primarily the Sierra Nevada of California. Small Tiger Lily is also known as Sierra Tiger Lily.
Small Tiger Lily displays an upright, tall perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Small 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 Small Tiger Lily?
Lilium parvum 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 Small Tiger Lily Need?
Small Tiger Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small Tiger Lily Prefer?
Lilium parvum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Small Tiger Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small Tiger Lily?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Small Tiger Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Small Tiger Lily?
Feed Small 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 Small 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 Small Tiger Lily?
Small 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 Small Tiger 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 Small Tiger Lily?
Small 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 Small Tiger Lily Need?
Small Tiger Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Small Tiger Lily is native to the mountains of the western United States, primarily the Sierra Nevada of California. In cooler regions, grow Small Tiger Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Small 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.
Small 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 parvum Kellogg, family Liliaceae (first published in Hesperian (San Francisco) 8: 163 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Small Tiger 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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