When does Michigan Lily bloom?

Michigan Lily typically flowers in June and July, producing nodding orange blossoms with recurved petals atop tall stems.

What kind of light does Michigan Lily need?

It grows best in part sun but tolerates conditions from full sun to part shade, especially where soil moisture stays consistent.

How much water does Michigan Lily require?

This lily favors medium to consistently moist soil and is often found in wet meadows, marsh edges and along streams, though it can handle average garden moisture once established.

What pollinators visit Michigan Lily?

Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all visit Michigan Lily for nectar, with the large showy flowers making them easy to spot from a distance.

What habitat suits Michigan Lily best in a garden?

A spot that mimics a moist meadow or open woodland edge, with rich soil and steady moisture, helps this lily perform well outside of wild wetland settings.

Is Michigan Lily toxic to cats?

Yes. Michigan 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 Michigan Lily HOA-friendly?

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

Michigan Lily

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lilium michiganense

Last reviewed: August 2026

Michigan Lily is a tall wetland and prairie perennial that blooms in June and July with nodding orange, spotted, recurved flowers, thriving in moist meadows, stream banks and open woodland edges across the Midwest and parts of the South.

Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) 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

Native to

AL, AR, IA, IL and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills

This lily is a stunning native wildflower that produces bright orange flowers with dark spots and recurved petals in summer. This tall, elegant perennial grows from bulbs and naturalizes well in partly shaded areas with consistent moisture.

Growing Michigan Lily

Grow Michigan 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

Michigan 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.

Very tall and wild-looking appearance
Can spread and naturalize beyond planted area
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare spots

Wildlife value

The large, nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds during the summer blooming period. The seeds also provide food for birds and small mammals.

Common questions

When does Michigan Lily bloom?: Michigan Lily typically flowers in June and July, producing nodding orange blossoms with recurved petals atop tall stems.
What kind of light does Michigan Lily need?: It grows best in part sun but tolerates conditions from full sun to part shade, especially where soil moisture stays consistent.
How much water does Michigan Lily require?: This lily favors medium to consistently moist soil and is often found in wet meadows, marsh edges and along streams, though it can handle average garden moisture once established.
What pollinators visit Michigan Lily?: Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all visit Michigan Lily for nectar, with the large showy flowers making them easy to spot from a distance.
What habitat suits Michigan Lily best in a garden?: A spot that mimics a moist meadow or open woodland edge, with rich soil and steady moisture, helps this lily perform well outside of wild wetland settings.
Is Michigan Lily toxic to dogs?: Michigan Lily is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Michigan Lily toxic to cats?: Yes. Michigan 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 Michigan Lily HOA-friendly?: Michigan 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

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