The short answer

Quick Answer

Lilies thrives in full sun or full shade on most soils (pH 6-7), free-draining. Reaches 60cm to 2m tall depending on variety. plant 25cm apart. Hardy to around -20°C.

Read on for pruning, planting, companions, seasonal care and common problems.

On this page

Pruning

When: Cut stems down in late autumn once they have yellowed

How: Deadhead after flowering. Cut stems to ground level in November. Do not cut green stems

Origin, history and folklore

Origin: Asia, Europe and North America

Native or exotic: Exotic. Martagon lily is naturalised in some UK woods

History: Lilies have been grown for over 3,000 years. The Madonna lily was grown in monastery gardens in medieval Europe

Folklore: In Christian art, the white lily symbolises purity and is associated with the Virgin Mary. The fleur-de-lis is a stylised lily

Fun fact: Lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Even brushing past the flowers and grooming the pollen off their fur can cause fatal kidney failure

Historical medicinal uses: Some species used in traditional Chinese medicine. Most are toxic and should not be self-administered

Wildlife and biodiversity

Pollinators: Bees and moths visit the flowers. Some species are moth-pollinated and scent stronger at night [4][5]

Pollinator ranking: 3 out of 10 (10 means a lot of pollinators, 1 means little) [4][5]

Biodiversity value: 6 out of 10 Medium. Hybrid lilies offer limited value, species lilies more[4][5][13]

Seasonal highlight: 7 out of 10 Flowers June to August depending on type. Asiatic first, then Oriental, then martagon[3][4]

Companion planting and pests

Companion planting: Plant with delphiniums, phlox, roses and other summer perennials. Use low plants at the base to shade lily roots

Pest control: Watch for lily beetle, red adult beetles that eat leaves and buds. Pick off by hand

Common diseases and issues: Lily beetle, botrytis blight, basal rot, virus diseases. See RHS lily beetle advice

Invasive note: Not invasive

CGM care note

We plant lily bulbs in November or March at 15 to 20cm deep, twice the height of the bulb, in well-drained soil with grit added on clay. We check each plant weekly from April for the red lily beetle and pick off any we find by hand before they strip the leaves.

CGM guides mentioning Lilies

These articles from our Gardening Knowledge library mention Lilies and may be useful if you are researching or growing this plant.

Useful resources

Plant relationships, Lilies

How Lilies fits with other plants in a real Chiltern garden, what it works well with, what to avoid, and what to use instead in tricky spots.

Works well with

  • Daffodils and Narcissi, spring/summer flowering bulbs, plant among perennials for early season colour
  • Tulips, spring/summer flowering bulbs, plant among perennials for early season colour
  • Alliums (Ornamental Onions), spring/summer flowering bulbs, plant among perennials for early season colour
  • Crocus, spring/summer flowering bulbs, plant among perennials for early season colour
  • Snowdrops, spring/summer flowering bulbs, plant among perennials for early season colour
  • Hyacinths, spring/summer flowering bulbs, plant among perennials for early season colour

Better choice for exposed sites

Better choice for shade

Replacement for failed box

If box blight has hit your hedges, these are the alternatives we recommend:

Seasonal succession partners

Plants with non-overlapping flowering windows to extend the season:

Relevant services

Related articles

Local projects using this plant

See our portfolio for real gardens where we've used Lilies.

Chiltern growing year

12-month care calendar

Use this as a seasonal prompt for this plant. Exact timing depends on species, exposure, soil moisture and the weather in your garden.

JanuaryCheck winter damage and protect vulnerable new growth.
FebruaryPrune only where the plant and weather allow; plan spring work.
MarchRemove winter debris, weed carefully and begin feeding where appropriate.
AprilPlant in workable soil and water new plants during dry spells.
MayMulch before the ground dries and watch for pests and new disease.
JuneKeep new planting watered, stake soft growth and deadhead where useful.
JulyWater deeply during dry Chiltern weather and inspect stressed foliage.
AugustMaintain moisture, remove damaged growth and prune only after flowering when suitable.
SeptemberA good month for planting, dividing and preparing soil for autumn work.
OctoberPlant hardy stock, clear diseased material and add a measured mulch.
NovemberFinish planting before hard frost and check ties, stakes and drainage.
DecemberReview the year, protect exposed plants and plan the next season.

References and justification

The values above for Lilies are supported by the following academic and horticultural authorities. Each reference lists the variables it underpins and the basis for the rating. Inline citation markers (e.g. [4]) next to each value link directly to the supporting reference below.

  1. 1
    RHS (2024). Lilies (Lilium species and hybrids). Plant Profile. Royal Horticultural Society.

    Confirms the horticultural values above for light, temperature (RHS hardiness rating), water, soil type, pH, drainage, feeding, and pruning times/method for Lilies. The RHS is the UK's leading horticultural charity and its plant database is the authoritative reference for garden-worthy species in the British Isles.

  2. 2
    Kew Science (2024). Lilium species and hybrids. Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

    Confirms the botanical classification (family Liliaceae), native geographic origin, and native/exotic status listed above. Kew's POWO is the globally recognised taxonomic authority for vascular plants, maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  3. 3
    Patterson TB, Givnish TJ (2002). Phylogeny, biogeography, and evolution of Liliaceae. American Journal of Botany, 89(10), 1576-1585.

    Peer-reviewed phylogenetic/taxonomic study of Liliaceae confirming the origin, taxonomy, and ecological characteristics listed above. Supports: origin, taxonomy, seasonal_highlight, soil_type.

  4. 4
    Rollings R, Goulson D (2019). Quantifying the attractiveness of garden flowers to pollinators. Journal of Applied Entomology, 143(1-2), 68-78.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 for Lilies. The pollinator description above ("Bees and moths visit the flowers. Some species are moth-pollinated and scent stronger at night") is consistent with this study's finding that low-ranked plants attract few pollinators relative to high-performing species. The Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Hybrid lilies offer limited value, species lilies more") reflects the plant's primarily ornamental role rather than ecological significance for pollinator support. Seasonal highlight: "Flowers June to August depending on type. Asiatic first, then Oriental, then martagon".

  5. 5
    British Beekeepers Association (2024). Garden Plants for Bees. BBKA.

    Supports the Pollinator ranking of 3/10 and the Pollinators description ("Bees and moths visit the flowers. Some species are moth-pollinated and scent stronger at night"). The BBKA maintains the UK's definitive list of pollinator-friendly garden plants, and Lilies's ranking is consistent with BBKA guidance on bee-attractive species. Also supports the Biodiversity value assessment ("Medium. Hybrid lilies offer limited value, species lilies more") in the context of garden-scale pollinator support.

  6. 6
    RHS (2024). Pests and Diseases. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pest and disease database confirms the common diseases, pest control notes, and companion planting observations listed above for Lilies. The RHS advisory service is the UK's primary source of evidence-based horticultural pest management.

  7. 7
    RHS (2024). RHS Hardiness Ratings. Royal Horticultural Society.

    The RHS hardiness rating system (H1a-H7) underpins the temperature tolerance value given above. Lilies's rating is consistent with RHS published hardiness data for the Liliaceae family.

  8. 8
    RHS (2024). Soil Types and Testing. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS soil classification and testing guidance supports the soil type, pH range, and drainage requirements listed above for Lilies. The RHS advises on soil assessment for all garden plants in the UK.

  9. 9
    GB Non-native Species Secretariat (2024). GB Non-native Species Information Portal.

    The GB Non-native Species Secretariat database confirms the invasive status assessment for Lilies. This government-backed portal tracks all non-native species in Great Britain and their ecological impact classification.

  10. 10
    RHS (2024). Pruning Guide: Shrubs and Climbers. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS pruning methodology and timing guidance for shrubs and perennials underpins the pruning times and methods listed above for Lilies. The RHS assigns plants to pruning groups (1-13) based on flowering time and growth habit.

  11. 11
    RHS (2024). Watering Plants. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS watering advice supports the water requirement and drainage values listed above for Lilies. The RHS provides evidence-based watering guidance for UK garden conditions.

  12. 12
    RHS (2024). Feeding and Mulching. Royal Horticultural Society.

    RHS feeding and mulching guidance supports the feeding recommendations for Lilies. The RHS advises on fertiliser application rates and timing for all garden plant types.

  13. 13
    Bentrup G (2008). Agroforestry: Sustaining native bee habitat for crop pollination. USDA Forest Service, Agroforestry Note 32.

    USDA Forest Service research on companion planting for pollinator habitat supports the companion planting and pest control observations listed above for Lilies. This is a peer-reviewed extension publication on agroforestry and biodiversity.

  14. 14
    Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2024). Plants Used in Traditional Medicine. Kew Science.

    Kew Science's research on plants used in traditional medicine supports the historical medicinal uses, folklore, and history entries above for Lilies. Kew's ethnobotany database is the UK's leading scientific resource on plant use by humans.

Where Lilies performs well locally

Towns where Lilies is well suited to typical local soil and climate conditions.

Excellent and strong match

Suitable with preparation

View all areas we cover