{"id":6614,"date":"2026-03-21T12:16:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T19:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/21\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-tiger-lilies\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T12:16:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T19:16:12","slug":"how-to-grow-and-care-for-tiger-lilies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/21\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-tiger-lilies\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow and Care for Tiger Lilies"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Once cured, prep a tray filled with peat moss.<\/p>\n

Set the bulbs in the tray \u2013 without them touching each other \u2013 and keep the tray in a similarly dark, cool place throughout the winter until it\u2019s time to replant in spring.<\/p>\n

Learn more about overwintering lilies here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Propagation<\/h2>\n

Most cultivated and naturalized tiger lilies in North America are sterile triploids, so they rarely produce viable seed. But there are other reliable ways to propagate them.<\/p>\n

From Offset Bulblets<\/h3>\n

This is one of the easiest ways to multiply established plants.<\/p>\n

In spring, after all risk of frost has passed, lift mature plants from the soil. The mother bulb should have small offsets growing from it \u2013 like little mini bulbs.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

You can also divide offsets when you lift bulbs for winter storage.<\/p>\n

Detach the offsets that are larger than an inch in diameter. Pot these up into individual four- to six-inch containers or elsewhere in the garden.<\/p>\n

Care for them as you would freshly-planted bulbs from the nursery.<\/p>\n

From Bulb Scales<\/h3>\n

In fall, dig up some mature bulbs, and break off four to eight scales from the base of each bulb.<\/p>\n

Insert the broken base end of each scale upright into a seed tray filled with moist sand. Cover the tray with a plastic bag, and store in a dark spot indoors at 65 to 70\u00b0F for six weeks.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Keep the sand damp. Eventually, bulblets will form. If any scale tissue remains that\u2019s soft, discard it.<\/p>\n

Take these bulblets and plant them in four- to six-inch pots filled with well-draining, moisture-retentive potting soil. Overwinter them in a cold frame or a frost-free spot in the garden.<\/p>\n

Come spring, you can transplant them into the garden as discussed below.<\/p>\n

Planting Bulbs<\/h3>\n

In spring, dig a hole for each bulb that\u2019s two to three times deeper than the bulb\u2019s diameter, and space the holes at least six inches apart.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Plant the bulbs with the basal end pointing downwards<\/a><\/strong>, backfill with soil and a sprinkle of bone meal<\/a><\/strong> to promote healthy roots.<\/p>\n

Water in well.<\/p>\n

Pests and Disease<\/h2>\n

Thankfully, tiger lilies are somewhat deer-resistant. But if they\u2019re hungry enough, deer will eat just about anything.<\/p>\n

If deer are a problem in your garden, a well-constructed deer fence<\/a><\/strong> can keep them out.<\/p>\n

But if they\u2019re munching on just a part of your garden, then some deer repellent will help to protect specific sections.<\/p>\n

Rabbits<\/a><\/strong> typically nibble on stems and leaves closer to the ground, within the lower 20 inches.<\/p>\n

If you already have a deer fence, reinforce the bottom two feet with one-inch wire mesh and bury it at least a foot deep to prevent tunneling.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, rabbit repellent can help protect your plants.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Rabbit Scram Repellent<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Eviro Pro offers pails of granular Rabbit Scram available via Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Voles, squirrels, and other small mammals may dig up bulbs and eat them. For tips on bulb protection, check out our guide to keeping rodents at bay<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Pests<\/h3>\n

Along with damaging plants by their feeding, insects can also vector disease.<\/p>\n

Aphids<\/h4>\n

Aphids are sapsucking insects that extract vital fluids from plants, which can distort leaves and weaken the plant.<\/p>\n

They also excrete honeydew as they feed, which can lead to black sooty mold<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Bonide Neem Oil<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Knock them off with a strong blast of water or treat with neem or horticultural oil.<\/p>\n

You can find Bonide Neem Oil available at Arbico Organics<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Lily Leaf Beetles<\/h4>\n

Lilioceris lilii<\/em> is an invasive beetle from Eurasia which does significant damage.<\/p>\n

Adults are a quarter-inch long with bright red bodies and black appendages, while the slug-like larvae are a half-inch long with black heads and orange to yellowish bodies.<\/p>\n

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\"A\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Both chew irregular holes in leaves, stems, and buds, but the larvae do the most damage.<\/p>\n

Larvae feed in spring and early summer before pupating. Adults continue the assault through late summer into fall, and severe infestations can completely defoliate plants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n