Giant Himalayan lily Cardiocrinum giganteum
Giant Himalayan lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Liliaceae family, native to Himalaya (Nepal to Bhutan), Myanmar and south-west China. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.
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Giant Himalayan lily at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 80 cm (31 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Himalaya (Nepal to Bhutan), Myanmar and south-west China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Giant Himalayan lily toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
- Parts: all parts (cats)
Not known to poison people or dogs. It is a close relative of true lilies, which cause kidney failure in cats: keep cats away to be safe.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Giant Himalayan lily
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Giant Himalayan lily
- How far apart should I plant Giant Himalayan lily?
- About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Giant Himalayan lily need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Giant Himalayan lily need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Giant Himalayan lily?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Giant Himalayan lily flower?
- From about June for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Giant Himalayan lily poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to poison people or dogs. It is a close relative of true lilies, which cause kidney failure in cats: keep cats away to be safe.
- What grows well with Giant Himalayan lily?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Giant Himalayan lily. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of Nepal (online flora and checklist), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Nepalese and international partners
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of the cool, misty Himalayan and west Chinese mountains: it wants moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from hot sun and drying wind, and sulks in hot, humid summers.
- A spectacle of the woodland garden: after five to seven years of building up, a bulb sends up a 2–4 m stem with up to 20 hanging white trumpets, purple inside and powerfully scented at dusk, then dies; small offset bulbs carry on. Plant in deep, rich, moist leaf mould in light shade.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lily Lilium
- Tulip Tulipa gesneriana
- Crown imperial Fritillaria imperialis
- Toad lily Tricyrtis hirta
- Snake’s head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris
- Madonna lily Lilium candidum
- Regal lily Lilium regale
- Easter lily Lilium longiflorum