Gymea lily Doryanthes excelsa
Gymea lily (Doryanthes excelsa) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Doryanthaceae family, native to Sydney region, New South Wales. It grows 1.5–5 m (4.9–16 ft) tall and 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
Plan Gymea lily in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Gymea lily at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Doryanthaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–5 m (4.9–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: roasted roots and young flower stems (traditional) |
| Native to | Sydney region, New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Gymea lily toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Gymea lily
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Gymea lily
- How far apart should I plant Gymea lily?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft).
- Does Gymea lily need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Gymea lily need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Gymea lily?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Gymea lily flower?
- From about September for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Gymea lily poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Gymea lily?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Gymea lily. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- A huge rosette of sword leaves sends up a 3–6 m spike topped by a ball of red flowers loved by honeyeaters. Resprouts after fire.
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
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Daffodil Narcissus pseudonarcissus