Thunberg's lily (Lilium maculatum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Thunberg's lily on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Liliaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Thunberg's lily
Lilium maculatum, also known as Thunberg's Lily, is a vibrant and hardy lily species native to Asia. It is characterized by its bright orange to reddish flowers, often with dark spots, which bloom in early to mid-summer. It's an excellent choice for rock gardens, perennial borders, or containers, adding an exotic and cheerful touch.
Native range
Japan
Care tips
It requires full sun to light partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Keep the substrate consistently moist during the growing season, but avoid waterlogging, which can lead to bulb rot. A common mistake is planting it in heavy, poorly draining soils, which results in fungal diseases.
How to save a dying Thunberg's lily
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown leaves from the base, soft stems, drooping or spotted flower buds.
- First aid
- Check drainage and substrate moisture. Repot if necessary into well-draining soil.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, causing bulb rot. Also extreme dryness.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the bulb is not completely rotted. Act quickly.