Carolina Lily
Lilium michauxii
Last reviewed: August 2026
Carolina Lily (Lilium michauxii) 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"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, FL, GA, LA and 7 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Carolina lily is a stunning native wildflower that produces large, orange-red blooms with dark spots and recurved petals during summer months. This elegant perennial grows from underground bulbs and creates dramatic vertical interest in the garden with its tall stems and showy flowers.
In an HOA neighborhood
Carolina Lily is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, foundation.
- Completely disappears in winter leaving bare soil
- May be too informal for conservative HOAs
Wildlife value
The large, nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles during its long summer blooming period. This native lily provides important food sources for pollinators when many other plants are stressed by summer heat.
Common questions
- How much sun does Carolina Lily need?
- Carolina Lily grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Carolina Lily bloom?
- Carolina Lily blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Carolina Lily native?
- Carolina Lily (Lilium michauxii) is native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 7 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Carolina Lily toxic to dogs?
- Carolina Lily is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Carolina Lily toxic to cats?
- Yes. Carolina 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.
- What pollinators does Carolina Lily attract?
- Carolina Lily draws bees, butterflies, and beetles.
- Is Carolina Lily HOA-friendly?
- Carolina Lily is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
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
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Carolina Lily? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.