When does Canada Lily bloom?

Canada Lily typically flowers from June through August, producing nodding, bell-shaped blooms held above the foliage on tall stems.

What pollinators visit Canada Lily?

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beetles visit Canada Lily flowers, drawn to the nectar and pollen of its downward-facing blooms.

What growing conditions does Canada Lily prefer?

Canada Lily grows best in part sun with consistently moist, medium to wet soil, often found naturally in wet meadows, marsh edges, and open woodlands.

How tall does Canada Lily grow?

Canada Lily can reach three to five feet in height, with whorled leaves along the stem and multiple nodding flowers near the top.

Is Canada Lily toxic to cats?

Yes. Canada Lily is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Canada Lily HOA-friendly?

Canada Lily takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Canada Lily

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lilium canadense

Last reviewed: September 2026

Canada Lily is a tall herbaceous perennial with nodding, spotted yellow to orange blooms from June through August. It thrives in moist meadows, stream banks, and woodland edges across the eastern United States.

Canada Lily (Lilium canadense) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–60" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, CT, DE, GA and 16 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, beetles

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Canada lily produces elegant nodding yellow or orange flowers with dark spots on tall stems from summer into early fall. This native perennial grows in clumps and prefers partially shaded areas with consistent moisture, making it ideal for woodland gardens or naturalized areas.

Growing Canada Lily

Grow Canada Lily in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 60 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Canada Lily takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Dies back completely in winter leaving bare ground
Can appear wild or unkempt compared to typical landscaping
May spread naturally which some HOAs consider weedy

Wildlife value

The showy flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beetles throughout the long blooming season. Seeds also provide food for birds in fall and winter.

Common questions

When does Canada Lily bloom?: Canada Lily typically flowers from June through August, producing nodding, bell-shaped blooms held above the foliage on tall stems.
What pollinators visit Canada Lily?: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beetles visit Canada Lily flowers, drawn to the nectar and pollen of its downward-facing blooms.
What growing conditions does Canada Lily prefer?: Canada Lily grows best in part sun with consistently moist, medium to wet soil, often found naturally in wet meadows, marsh edges, and open woodlands.
How tall does Canada Lily grow?: Canada Lily can reach three to five feet in height, with whorled leaves along the stem and multiple nodding flowers near the top.
Is Canada Lily toxic to dogs?: Canada Lily is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Canada Lily toxic to cats?: Yes. Canada Lily is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Canada Lily HOA-friendly?: Canada Lily takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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