Species giant lily
White-pink-red stamens on white flowers and green stems against green foliage.

giant lily

Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense

The giant lily is a truly amazing species of plant. Found in the wet and temperate forests of the Himalayas and Yunnan Province in China, its impressive size and unique beauty have made it a must-have for plant enthusiasts. Its large white bell-shaped flowers can reach up to 2" in diameter and the plant itself can grow up to 7' tall with its stunningly long leaves. The giant lily blooms every two to three years, making its appearance even more special. Along with its stunning beauty and impressive size, the giant lily is also very hardy and known to survive many seasons with little care. With its unmistakable form and undeniable charm, the giant lily is an incredible plant to witness in person.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Bulbils,Offsets

Hardiness Zone:

7 - 9

Flowers:

Creamy white with reddish-purple center Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

High

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Giant lilies (Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense) should be kept moist, but not soggy. Water your lilies well when soil begins to dry out a bit, but before it becomes bone dry. Usually this is once every 1-2 weeks. During the summer months, it may be necessary to water more often as temperatures rise. Be sure to avoid wetting the leaves of the lilies and water early in the morning, if possible. In the autumn, gradually reduce watering until the plant is dormant.

sunlight

Giant lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense) grows best when given 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day. Sunlight is particularly important for this species, as it helps promote and sustain healthy growth of the plant and its stunning blooms. If planted where sunlight is limited, the plant will struggle to grown adequately. During the summer months, place the giant lily in an area where it receives full sun in the morning until noon, and then partial shade for the remainder of the day. During the winter season, partial shade in the morning and full sun in the afternoon through to evening is best. This will ensure that the plant still receives adequate lighting while still protecting it from intense temperatures.

pruning

Giant lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense) should be pruned minimally. When pruning, the goal should be to maintain the plant's natural shape and structure. Prune dead or damaged stems in late winter or early spring allowing the plant to re-establish itself early in the growing season. Pruning can also be done to maintain the overall size and shape of the plant. Remove any stems that appear dead or weak, as well as any stems that are starting to sprawl out of the desired shape. Pruning can be done more extensively every 2 to 3 years but this should only be done when absolutely necessary.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense typically starts flowering in late June or early July.

Hardiness Map