Cobra Lily Lilium Cobra = 'Zantricob' (PBR) (Viia/b)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The plant in question, commonly known as the Lily Cobra, is notable for its stunning flowers. These blossoms exhibit a deep, almost velvety purple hue, with a rich saturation of color that lends a dramatic flair to the plant's overall presentation. The petals of the Lily Cobra are gracefully curved backward, giving the flower a distinctive, elegant appearance that's reminiscent of the "Turk's cap" style. Contrasting with the lush purple petals, the center of each flower is accented with a prominent anther, dusted with a generous amount of pollen. The richly colored petals are adorned with darker spots, which add texture and depth to the flower's visual appeal. As the plant comes into bloom, the flowers are arranged in a cluster at the top of sturdy, erect stems, creating an eye-catching display that would easily become the centerpiece of any garden space. The luxuriant blooms combined with the plant's lush green foliage make the Lily Cobra a truly breathtaking specimen, showcasing nature's artistry in every aspect of its design.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Liliaceae
- Synonyms
  Cobra Lily
- Common names
  Lilium 'Cobra', Lilium 'Zantricob'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Lily Cobra (Lilium Cobra 'Zantricob') is an ornamental plant known to be toxic to humans if ingested. While instances of human poisoning are relatively rare, consuming any part of the plant can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion can result in kidney failure or other life-threatening conditions, though such extreme reactions are mostly associated with large amounts of ingestion.
- To pets
  Lily Cobra (Lilium Cobra 'Zantricob') poses a serious risk of toxicity to cats and to a lesser extent dogs if ingested. Even small amounts of the plant can be extremely poisonous, particularly to cats. Symptoms of lily poisoning in pets may include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, kidney failure, and can even lead to death if not treated promptly. Pet owners should seek immediate veterinary attention if their pet consumes any part of a lily plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  3 feet (0.91 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot (0.30 meters)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  Varies
- Native area
  Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Blooms: Lilium Cobra produces vibrant and colorful flowers that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of any garden or landscape.
- Easy to Grow: This lily variety is relatively easy to cultivate and does not require extensive gardening expertise, making it suitable for amateur gardeners.
- Long Blooming Period: It has a long flowering period, which ensures that the garden remains colorful for an extended period of time.
- Cut Flower Use: The flowers of Lilium Cobra are excellent for use in cut flower arrangements, adding elegance and beauty to any bouquet.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Lilium Cobra exhibits a degree of drought tolerance, making it a suitable choice for gardens with less frequent watering.
- Pest Resistance: This plant has a degree of resistance to certain pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Cold Hardiness: Lilium Cobra is capable of withstanding colder temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Photography subject: The striking appearance of the Cobra Lily makes it an ideal subject for photographers and artists who wish to capture the unique beauty of this plant.
- Floral art: Cobra Lily's distinctive shape and vibrant color can be used in floral art and design, providing a visually interesting element to arrangements and bouquets.
- Educational tool: Because of its unique morphology, the Cobra Lily is often used in botanical studies and educational programs to illustrate plant diversity.
- Fashion inspiration: The striking patterns and colors of the Cobra Lily can inspire textile and fashion designers for prints and motifs in their fabric creations.
- Theme gardens: Themed gardens focused on exotic and unusual plants can feature Cobra Lily as a standout attraction for visitors.
- Culinary decoration: Although not edible, the Cobra Lily can be used as a non-toxic decorative element for high-end culinary presentations.
- Ecotourism: Gardens and nurseries specializing in rare plants can include the Cobra Lily to attract ecotourists and plant enthusiasts.
- Watercolor painting: The delicate textures and vibrant colors of the Cobra Lily make it a popular subject for watercolor artists.
- Jewelry design: The shape and color patterns of the Cobra Lily can serve as an inspiration for unique jewelry pieces, particularly in artisanal and bespoke creations.
- Ceramic motifs: Cobra Lily may inspire ceramic artists to create pottery and tiles with botanical motifs, integrating its form into functional art pieces.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Purity and Virginity – The Cobra Lily, like other lilies, often symbolizes purity and is commonly associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition.
- Transcendence – Its striking form can symbolize reaching beyond the mundane or striving for higher experiences.
- Royalty and Nobility – The lily has been associated with kings and queens, hence can represent regality or superiority.
- Renewal and Rebirth – The lifecycle of a lily, from bulb to flower, makes it a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings.
- Passion – Its vivid, often striking coloration can symbolize intense emotions or passionate feelings.
- Beauty and Elegance – Due to its graceful appearance, the Cobra Lily is often associated with beauty and elegance.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Viia Lily should be watered thoroughly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again, typically once a week. Pour water evenly around the base of the plant until it runs out of the drainage holes, which may be around a half to one gallon depending on the size of the pot and the plant. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases. Adjust the amount during the growing season when the plant is actively growing, as it may require more frequent waterings. In winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering to prevent root rot.
Light
The Viia Lily prefers a spot where it receives bright, indirect sunlight for the majority of the day. Direct afternoon sun can be too intense and may scorch the leaves, so a location with morning sun or filtered sunshine, such as behind a sheer curtain, is ideal. Ensure the plant gets at least six hours of light daily to thrive.
Temperature
The Viia Lily thrives in temperature conditions between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate temperatures down to about 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night and should not be exposed to temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid damage. The ideal temperature range promotes healthy growth and flowering.
Pruning
Prune the Viia Lily after flowering by removing any spent flowers to encourage further blooms and maintain plant appearance. Cut back any yellow or damaged leaves as needed throughout the year to keep the plant healthy. Pruning is typically done once the flowering period is over, usually in late summer or early fall.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for growing Cobra Lilies, also known as 'Lilium Cobra', should be well-draining and fertile with added organic matter such as compost or peat moss. A slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0 is optimal for this plant's health and flowering.
Repotting
Cobra Lilies should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when the bulbs have outgrown their current container, to provide space for their roots and replenish nutrients in the soil.
Humidity & Misting
Ideal humidity levels for Cobra Lilies are moderate, ranging from 40% to 60%, but they can tolerate some fluctuation as long as the soil moisture is maintained appropriately.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Grow Cobra Lilies indoors with bright, indirect light, and keep soil moist.
- Outdoor
  Plant Cobra Lilies in partial shade, enriched, well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Cobra Lily starts its life cycle as a bulb, which undergoes a period of dormancy typically in winter. In spring, the bulb breaks dormancy and sprouts, sending up shoots that develop into sturdy stems with linear leaves arranged spirally. Throughout the spring and into early summer, the plant channels its energy into producing tall stalks topped with large, showy flowers that are trumpet-shaped and can display a variety of colors including shades of pink and burgundy with darker spots. After pollination, which can be facilitated by insects attracted to the blooms, the flowers give way to seed capsules that mature by late summer or fall. The seeds are then dispersed, potentially giving rise to new plants, while the parent plant's foliage begins to yellow and die back as it re-enters dormancy, with the bulb storing energy for the next growing season. This annual cycle of growth, flowering, seed production, and dormancy repeats year after year as long as environmental conditions remain favorable for the plant’s survival.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The most popular method of propagating the Lilium Cobra, also known as an Asiatic lily, is through division of the bulbs. This typically takes place in the fall after the foliage has died back, but can also be done in the spring before growth resumes. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the bulbs and gently separate the smaller bulblets from the main bulb. Each bulblet, with a small piece of basal plate attached, has the potential to grow into a new plant. Once separated, you can replant the bulblets immediately at a depth of about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters), spacing them about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate growing room. Ensure the planting site is well-drained and receives plenty of sunlight for optimal growth.