When does the wood lily bloom?

Lilium philadelphicum typically flowers in June and July, with individual plants often holding one to a few upward facing blooms during that window.

What pollinates Lilium philadelphicum?

Bees, butterflies and beetles visit the flowers of the wood lily, drawn to its open upright orange red blooms.

What light and soil does the wood lily prefer?

This forb does best with part sun and medium moisture in well drained soil, and it also tolerates brighter, more open sites or somewhat drier ground once established.

What kind of habitat suits Lilium philadelphicum?

Look for it in dry to moist prairies, open woodland edges, roadsides and meadows where competing vegetation is not too dense.

Is the wood lily easy to grow in a home garden?

It can be grown in gardens that mimic its open, well drained habitat, but it is slow to establish from seed and often takes a few years to reach flowering size.

Is Wood Lily toxic to cats?

Yes. Wood 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 Wood Lily HOA-friendly?

Wood Lily is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Wood Lily

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lilium philadelphicum

Last reviewed: October 2026

Lilium philadelphicum, the wood lily, opens orange red flowers in June and July in prairies, open woodlands and meadows across much of the eastern and central United States. It favors part sun and medium, well drained soil.

Wood Lily (Lilium philadelphicum) 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

12"–36" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

CO, CT, DE, GA and 30 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

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Try it with your yard

A striking native wildflower with upward-facing orange-red blooms dotted with dark spots. This compact lily forms small clumps and blooms in early to mid-summer, then dies back to the ground in winter.

Growing Wood Lily

Grow Wood Lily in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 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

Wood Lily is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Goes completely dormant in winter
May need marking to avoid accidental damage when dormant

Wildlife value

The bright flowers attract various pollinators including native bees, butterflies, and beetles during its summer bloom period.

Common questions

When does the wood lily bloom?: Lilium philadelphicum typically flowers in June and July, with individual plants often holding one to a few upward facing blooms during that window.
What pollinates Lilium philadelphicum?: Bees, butterflies and beetles visit the flowers of the wood lily, drawn to its open upright orange red blooms.
What light and soil does the wood lily prefer?: This forb does best with part sun and medium moisture in well drained soil, and it also tolerates brighter, more open sites or somewhat drier ground once established.
What kind of habitat suits Lilium philadelphicum?: Look for it in dry to moist prairies, open woodland edges, roadsides and meadows where competing vegetation is not too dense.
Is the wood lily easy to grow in a home garden?: It can be grown in gardens that mimic its open, well drained habitat, but it is slow to establish from seed and often takes a few years to reach flowering size.
Is Wood Lily toxic to dogs?: Wood Lily is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Wood Lily toxic to cats?: Yes. Wood 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 Wood Lily HOA-friendly?: Wood Lily is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

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.

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