Easter lily
Also called Trumpet lily, November lily.
| Light | part shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 5 days in the growing season, every 21 in winter |
| Humidity | medium |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Height | Up to 90 cm (35 in) tall |
| Pets | Cats toxic, dogs safe |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Easter Lily entry.
Toxic to cats if chewed. Toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs and horses. Cats are the only species known to be affected, and the result is kidney failure and possible death. Do not keep this plant, or its cut flowers, in a house with a cat. Keep it where an animal that eats houseplants cannot reach it, and speak to a vet if one does. In South Africa telephone the Poison Information Helpline on 0861 555 777; in the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
Lilies are grown from a bulb with no protective skin, so everything about growing them comes back to drainage. Plant in early autumn so the roots take hold before winter, or in spring when the bulbs come into the shops. In South Africa lily bulbs go in during the winter months and again in the spring bulb season, and they are best planted the moment you buy them because they dry out quickly on a shelf. Set them deep, three times the height of the bulb, in soil with grit worked through it. Then be honest about cats. Every part of this plant, including the pollen, causes kidney failure in cats, and there is no safe amount. If there is a cat in the house or the garden, choose something else and enjoy lilies elsewhere.
Ailments observed
| Holes chewed in the leaves | Lily beetle, a bright red adult with grubs that hide under their own droppings. Check the plants every few days from spring and pick the adults off by hand into a pot of water. They drop and land on their backs when disturbed. |
|---|---|
| A soft or mushy base to the stem | Bulb rot from ground that stays wet, or from planting too shallow in heavy soil. Lift and discard soft bulbs. Replant into a raised bed or a pot with grit added, setting the bulbs at three times their own depth. |
Filed underStatement plants
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