Liliaceae
Madonna lily: Aromatic Plant
Lilium candidum
Plant bulbs shallowly in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil in a sunny location. Ensure the soil remains moist during the growing season but avoid waterlogging to prevent bulb rot.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
10° - 28°C
40% - 60%
Categories
What is Madonna lily?
Madonna lily (Lilium candidum) is a medium-care plant from the Liliaceae family. Lilium candidum, the Madonna lily, is a bulbous perennial plant known for its striking, pure white trumpet-shaped flowers and heavy, sweet fragrance. Unlike most lilies that are planted deep, the Madonna lily is planted shallowly and produces a basal rosette of leaves in the autumn that remains thro...
Madonna lily grows up to 1.5m, with spread of 40cm, watering every 7 days, 10°C â 28°C, 40â60% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Care Guide
How to Water
Water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry, as this species is highly susceptible to Botrytis fungal infections.
Lighting
Requires full sun to thrive, though it can tolerate light afternoon shade in very hot climates.
Ideal Soil
Prefers a slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5) and thrives in chalky or loamy soils that drain very quickly.
Recommended Pot
Large, deep terracotta pots with excellent drainage holes to accommodate the root system and prevent moisture buildup.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 14 days
Repot
Every 730 days
About Madonna lily
Lilium candidum, the Madonna lily, is a bulbous perennial plant known for its striking, pure white trumpet-shaped flowers and heavy, sweet fragrance. Unlike most lilies that are planted deep, the Madonna lily is planted shallowly and produces a basal rosette of leaves in the autumn that remains through the winter. It has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and is one of the oldest known garden plants.
How to Propagate
Bulb Offset Division
- Do not let the bulbs dry out while they are out of the ground.
- Space offsets at least 15cm apart.
- 1 Lift the Bulbs
Carefully dig up the bulb clump after the flowering stems have died back in late summer.
- 2 Separate Offsets
Gently pull the small baby bulbs (offsets) away from the main mother bulb.
- 3 Replant Immediately
Plant the offsets in prepared soil, ensuring they are only covered by about 1 inch of soil.
Materials needed:
Scaling
- Dust scales with fungicide to prevent rot.
- Keep the vermiculite moist but not wet.
- 1 Remove Scales
Snap off several outer scales from a healthy bulb, ensuring each scale has a piece of the basal plate.
- 2 Incubate
Place scales in a plastic bag with damp vermiculite and keep in a warm, dark place.
- 3 Potting Bulblets
Once small bulblets form at the base of the scales, pot them up individually.
Materials needed:
Characteristics
Max height
1.5m
Spread
40cm
Growth rate
Medium
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Aromatic
Pleasant fragrance
Medicinal
Medicinal properties
Medicinal Uses
- Topical treatment for burns
- Anti-inflammatory poultices
- Historical use in tinctures for skin ailments
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
Meaning & Symbolism
Associated with purity, virtue, and the Virgin Mary in Christian iconography.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamingo Flower | Medium | Partial shade | 5d | â ïļ |
| Prayer Plant | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | â |
| Mandevilla | Medium | Bright indirect | 7d | â ïļ |
| Boston Fern | Medium | Partial shade | 3d | â |
