Chinese Toad Lily Plant Care
Tricyrtis chinensis Hir.Takah.bis
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tricyrtis chinensis is a Chinese species of herbaceous plant in the lily family. It occurs in southeastern China.
Every 4–7 days
Part shade to full shade
50–75°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Toad Lily?
Water Chinese Toad Lily every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it part shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 50–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Chinese Toad Lily?
Chinese Toad Lily (Tricyrtis chinensis) belongs to the Liliaceae family within the Tricyrtis genus.
Chinese Toad Lily displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Chinese Toad Lily produces unique orchid-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white with speckles.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese Toad Lily?
Tricyrtis chinensis 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 Chinese Toad Lily Need?
Chinese Toad Lily thrives in part shade to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Chinese Toad Lily in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Part shade to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese Toad Lily Prefer?
Tricyrtis chinensis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Chinese Toad Lily prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Toad Lily?
Rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Toad Lily to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chinese Toad Lily?
Feed Chinese Toad 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 Chinese Toad Lily?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. 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 Chinese Toad Lily?
Chinese Toad Lily can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to large-footed toad lily plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Toad Lily Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chinese Toad Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Chinese Toad Lily?
Chinese Toad Lily is susceptible to slugs, snails, spider mites. 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 Chinese Toad Lily Need?
Chinese Toad Lily grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Toad Lily as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Chinese Toad 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 Tricyrtis genus — compare its care with other Tricyrtis species on PlantoScan.
Tricyrtis is part of the Liliaceae plant family — browse all Liliaceae genera and species.
Chinese Toad Lily copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tricyrtis chinensis Hir.Takah.bis, family Liliaceae (first published in Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 52: 35 (2001)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chinese Toad Lily, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. 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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