The Plant Guide

Browse the Full Plant Guide

Madonna lily

Lilium candidum

One of the oldest garden flowers, the madonna lily has bright green hosta-like basal rosettes appearing in winter and shallow-rooted bulbs that give it a distinctive appearance. In late spring, it thrusts up leafy torches topped with pristine scented blossoms in a raceme of 5 to 10 trumpet-shaped flowers.

CareRequires neutral to alkaline soil and thrives on thin, chalky ground. Plant no more than 1 inch deep. Tolerates drier soil than other lilies.

PropagationIn fall, by division, bulblet transplanting, and scaling.

ProblemsVery susceptible to gray mold.

  • Genus : Lilium
  • Plant Height : 3 to 6 feet
  • Zones : 6, 7, 8, 9
  • Plant Type : Bulbs
  • Moisture : Dry to Medium
  • Bloom Time : Early Summer, Late Spring, Spring, Summer
  • Characteristics : Fragrant Flowers, Showy Foliage
  • Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Spring Interest
  • Flower Color : White

Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members

Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.

Start Free Trial

Related Plants

Related Articles

More From the Plant Guide

Winter Interest

Partial Shade

Browse the Full Plant Guide