How to Grow and Care for Tiger Lily Flowers

How to Grow Tiger Lily Flower

About Growing Tiger Lily Flowers in Your Home Flower Garden

Most of us refer to the flowers in this picture as an Orange Lily, or a Tiger Lily flower. But some people call this Day Lily a “Ditch Lily”. It’s because this prolific wildflower is commonly found growing in ditches around a wide area of America. Use this guide on “How to Grow Tiger Lily Plants” and enjoy their blooms in your flower garden this summer. While this attractive flower blooms just once a season, when it does it brightens up the landscape… or ditch. The plant produces stems with up to 10 flowers per stem.

There is much confusion about Tiger Lilies. It is native to Asia, but thanks to its beauty, it h has spread its roots around the world. There is an oriental variety that is very similar. The major difference is that the oriental Tiger Lily propagates through bulbs that form at leaf axils. The common wildflower Tiger Lily is a profuse propagator using tuberous roots. Both varieties have edible roots and have been used for medicinal purposes. We will focus the remainder of this article on the wildflower variety. 

This flower represents nobility, pride, and wealth. You will be proud of these flowers growing in your backyard. And certainly, it will make you feel wealthy when you grow these noble flowers.

Did You Know? Tiger Lilies have medicinal uses. They relieve congestion and the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

Perennial, Lilium lancifolium, Hemerocallis Fulva

Tiger Lily Specifics

Flowers Bloom: Summer

Flower Colors: Orange, red, yellow, and white.

Plant height: 3 to 5 feet tall.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9

Bulb Planting Depth: Plant the tuberous roots 6 inches deep.

Final Plant Spacing: 8 inches apart. 

Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5.

Tiger Lily Flower Plant

Tiger Lily Flower Plant Propagation

These flowers grow from tuberous roots. They are readily available at your local garden store, or through online retailers. 

If the plants become overcrowded, the blooms will be smaller. Dig up and separate tuberous roots. Transplanting is best in spring or fall. Water thoroughly after transplanting roots.

Tiger Lily Flower

How to Grow Tiger Lily Flowers

It’s easy to grow these wildflowers. They are at home as a wildflower or in your flower garden. The plants require little, if any maintenance.

Plant tuberous roots in groups. They do not mind crowding and look their best when in bloom in a large, close-together patch of bright orange flowers.

Tiger Lilie plants require little attention. They prefer moist to wet soils. That’s why they grow so well in and near ditches. Fertilizer is not needed, except in the poorest of soils. They thrive in most regions of the U.S. and do not require winter protection.

Once established, they will thrive and grow year after year.

Did You Know? Native Americans ate the tuberous roots, baking them as you would potatoes. However, be certain what variety you have. Some varieties of lilies are toxic. When in doubt, go the real mashed potatoes.

Tiger Lily Flowers

Insects and Plant Disease

Forget about insect and disease problems. This prolific grower sees few problems. If problems do occur in the home garden, you can use insecticide or fungicide as needed.

The plants can be bothered by slugs and snails. Your local garden store has slug and snail pellets that are effective.

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