Cilician squill Plant Care

Cilician squill (Scilla cilicica) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Scilla genus. Cilician squill is native to Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Turkey, and Israel. Cilician squill is also known as Cilicia squill.

Cilician squill displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Cilician squill produces small star-shaped flowers in blue, white, or pink.

Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cilician squill every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Cilician squill thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Cilician squill in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Scilla cilicica tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Cilician squill prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Cilician squill to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cilician squill every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cilician squill is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Cilician squill can spread to about 1 ft (0.2 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Cilician squill while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Cilician squill is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Cilician squill can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mishchenko's squill plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Cilician squill is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. 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.

Cilician squill grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Cilician squill is native to Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Turkey, and Israel.