Pitkin Marsh Lily Plant Care

Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense (Beane & Vollmer) M.W.Skinner

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense, the Pitkin Marsh lily, is an endangered perennial herb of the family Liliaceae that is endemic to certain wetland areas in the northern California Coast Ranges of Sonoma County, California, United States.

🌼Perennials🧅Bulbs & Tubers
Water

Every 4–7 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Pitkin Marsh Lily?

Water Pitkin Marsh 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 Pitkin Marsh Lily Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Pitkin Marsh Lily?

Pitkin Marsh Lily (Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Lilium genus. Pitkin Marsh Lily is native to certain wetland areas in the northern California Coast Ranges of Sonoma County, California, United States.

Pitkin Marsh Lily displays an upright, tall perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Pitkin Marsh 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 Pitkin Marsh Lily?

Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense 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 Pitkin Marsh Lily Need?

Pitkin Marsh Lily thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Pitkin Marsh Lily Prefer?

Lilium pardalinum subsp. pitkinense grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Pitkin Marsh Lily prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Pitkin Marsh Lily?

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Pitkin Marsh Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Pitkin Marsh Lily?

Feed Pitkin Marsh 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 Pitkin Marsh 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 Pitkin Marsh Lily?

Pitkin Marsh 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 Pitkin Marsh 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 Pitkin Marsh Lily?

Pitkin Marsh 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 Pitkin Marsh Lily Need?

Pitkin Marsh Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pitkin Marsh Lily is native to certain wetland areas in the northern California Coast Ranges of Sonoma County, California, United States. In cooler regions, grow Pitkin Marsh Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Pitkin Marsh 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.

Pitkin Marsh 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 pardalinum subsp. pitkinense (Beane & Vollmer) M.W.Skinner, family Liliaceae (first published in Novon 12(2): 255. 2002) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pitkin Marsh 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Pitkin Marsh Lily Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species