Double Tiger Lily Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno' (Ixc/d)
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as the Double Tiger Lily is characterized by its striking and unusual flowers. This ornamental cultivar features blooms that are fully double, meaning they have a lavish number of petals, which give the flowers a very full and almost pompom-like appearance. The petals boast vibrant orange hues and are often spotted with dark dots, adding to their exotic appeal. The flowers tend to face downward or outwards with gracefully recurved petals, resembling a Turk's cap. The stamens and pistils in these double flowers are typically transformed into additional petals, which contributes to their lush, layered look. The foliage is dark green and glossy, arranged in whorls along the stems, and the leaves are lance-shaped. This combination of vividly colored, intricate flowers and lush foliage makes the Double Tiger Lily a standout in any garden setting, particularly when in full bloom.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Liliaceae
Synonyms
Double Tiger Lily, Double Tawny Lily, Flore Pleno Tiger Lily
Common names
Lilium tigrinum 'Flore Pleno', Lilium tigrinum var. flaviflorum, Lilium tigrinum var. Fortunei, Lillium tigrinum var. splendens.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno') is not significantly toxic to humans. However, if ingested, some people might have a mild reaction due to its mildly toxic nature. Ingesting parts of this plant can cause gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or vomiting. As with any plant, sensitivities can vary from person to person, so it is still advisable to keep it out of the reach of children who might be tempted to chew on it.
To pets
Tiger Lily (Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno') is highly toxic to cats, and can be poisonous to dogs as well, although cats are more sensitive. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to severe kidney damage in cats, potentially resulting in kidney failure. Symptoms of poisoning in cats may include vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite, and increased urination followed by decreased or no urination in later stages. Even small amounts can be life-threatening, so immediate veterinary attention is required if a cat has consumed any part of a Tiger Lily. Dogs typically experience less severe symptoms than cats, but gastrointestinal distress is still possible. Dog owners should exercise caution and prevent their pets from ingesting this plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 meters)
Spread
1 foot (0.30 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
Japan Korea China
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: The double blooms of Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno', also known as Double Tiger Lily, add dramatic visual interest to gardens with their vibrant orange flowers and distinctive dark spots.
- Landscape Diversity: This variety contributes to the biodiversity of a garden setting, offering a unique form compared to single-petal lilies.
- Pollinator Attraction: Double Tiger Lily flowers attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees, which are vital for the pollination of many plants.
- Easy Propagation: The plant produces bulbils in the leaf axils, which can easily be used to propagate new plants, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to expand their lily collection or share with others.
- Low Maintenance: Double Tiger Lily is known for being relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established in the right conditions.
- Longevity: Many lily plants, including the Double Tiger Lily, are perennials that will return year after year, giving long-term enjoyment with proper care.
- Rustic Charm: The Double Tiger Lily fits well into cottage garden designs and rustic landscapes, providing an old-world charm and enhancing the overall aesthetic of such garden styles.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As an artist's muse, the Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno', commonly known as double tiger lily, has been used for inspiration in various forms of art, such as traditional ink paintings and modern floral designs.
- In literature and poetry, the double tiger lily is often used as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, making it a common motif in stories and poems.
- The plant's strong stems make it useful in the construction of light garden structures, such as trellises and supports for other plants.
- The unusual double flowers are sometimes used in the culinary world as a natural food garnish, though they are not typically eaten.
- In the fashion industry, patterns inspired by its striking flowers are printed on fabrics for dresses and accessories.
- The plant's bright and bold colors have been used to create natural dyes for textiles and crafts, though this is not a common practice.
- Due to their height and structure, these lilies can be used in privacy landscaping, creating a visual barrier with their dense foliage.
- In perfumery, although not a common ingredient, the flowers can contribute to the creation of floral scent profiles in designer fragrances.
- As a teaching tool in botany education to illustrate hybridization and genetic variation due to the 'Flore Pleno' variety being a double-flowered form.
- In gardening competitions, the double tiger lily is a popular choice for entries due to its showy and unique blooms.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Tiger Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Tiger Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity - The lily is often associated with purity due to its bright and clean appearance, symbolizing innocence and chastity.
- Renewal - Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno', also known as the double tiger lily, blooms annually, representing the idea of rebirth and new beginnings.
- Beauty - With its striking double flowers, the double tiger lily is a symbol of unique beauty and can represent pride or vanity.
- Motherhood - In some cultures, lilies are associated with fertility and motherhood, given their prolific nature and full, rounded flowers.
- Transience - Despite their beauty, lilies are also fleeting, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of life and the notion that beauty does not last forever.
- Wealth and Prosperity - The fullness of the tiger lily's double bloom can signify abundance and the wish for wealth and prosperity.
WaterThe Double Tiger Lily should be watered generously once the top inch of soil feels dry, which typically means once a week during active growth periods. During hot, dry spells, watering frequency may increase to twice a week. Pour water directly onto the soil around the base of the plant until it begins to run out of the bottom of the pot or the soil is thoroughly moist; this usually involves 1 to 2 gallons depending on the plant's size and the environmental conditions. During the dormant period in winter, reduce watering significantly to prevent bulb rot, which may mean watering as little as once every three weeks with just enough water to prevent the soil from completely drying out.
LightThe Double Tiger Lily thrives best in a location that provides full sun to partial shade. Ideally, it should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. However, in extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can help protect the plant from excessive heat. They should be planted or placed where they can bask in the morning sun but can be shielded from the harshest afternoon rays, ensuring balanced growth and bloom.
TemperatureThe Double Tiger Lily prefers temperatures in the range of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth, but it can tolerate a wider range. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for outdoor planting in many climates, but the bulbs should be protected or mulched in zones where temperatures drop below this point in winter. During hot summers, it can withstand temperatures up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is essential to ensure adequate watering in these conditions.
PruningPruning of the Double Tiger Lily is typically done to remove dead or faded flowers and to maintain plant aesthetics. After flowering, snip off the spent flower heads to prevent the plant from putting energy into seed production. Once the foliage starts to yellow and die back in the fall, you can cut the stems back to ground level. Pruning is usually done on an as-needed basis throughout the growing season and more thoroughly once the plant has finished blooming for the year.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe double tiger lily thrives in a well-draining soil mix high in organic matter, with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5, accommodating for slight acidity. Mixing loam, peat moss, and perlite or sand can create an ideal environment for it to grow.
RepottingDouble tiger lilies typically don't require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their current container.
Humidity & MistingDouble tiger lilies prefer moderate to high humidity levels, around 40-60%, similar to their natural humid forest habitats.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with good airflow for indoor growth.
Outdoor
Plant in dappled shade and ensure soil is well-drained outdoors.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA.
Life cycleLilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno', commonly known as the Double Tiger Lily, begins its life cycle with the germination of a bulb underground in early spring. The plant then sends up shoots which develop into stems and leaves as the weather warms. By mid to late summer, the Double Tiger Lily produces its distinctive double orange flowers with black spots, which are the result of successful pollination, either through self-pollination or with the help of insects. Once flowering is complete, the plant sets seed, which can be dispersed for propagation, though this cultivar can also propagate through bulbils that form in the leaf axils. As the growing season ends, the above-ground foliage dies back, and the plant enters a period of dormancy during the colder months. The cycle begins anew the following spring when the bulb awakens to restart the growth process.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Summer
The Tiger Lily 'Flore Pleno,' as Lilium lancifolium 'Flore Pleno' is commonly known, can be propagated through several methods, but the most popular one is by dividing its bulb scales. This should be done in the late fall after the foliage has died back or in the early spring before growth resumes. A gardener will gently dig up the bulb and remove a few of the outer scales. These scales can then be planted in a mixture of perlite and peat moss at a depth of around an inch. The environment should be kept moist but not overly wet. Roots and a small bulb will form at the base of each scale in a few weeks to months, at which point they can be transplanted to their final growing location. This method is preferred because it can produce blooming plants in a relatively short period, generally within a couple of years.
