Henry’s lily Lilium henryi
Henry’s lily (Lilium henryi) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Liliaceae family, native to Central China (Hubei, Guizhou, Jiangxi). It grows 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Henry’s lily at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Mature height | 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Central China (Hubei, Guizhou, Jiangxi) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Henry’s lily toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
- Parts: all parts, pollen, vase water
Deadly to cats: any part of a true lily, even pollen licked from fur or the vase water, can cause acute kidney failure. Not poisonous to people or dogs.
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 Henry’s lily
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Henry’s lily
- How far apart should I plant Henry’s lily?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Henry’s lily need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Henry’s lily need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Henry’s lily?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Henry’s lily flower?
- From about July for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Henry’s lily poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Deadly to cats: any part of a true lily, even pollen licked from fur or the vase water, can cause acute kidney failure. Not poisonous to people or dogs.
- What grows well with Henry’s lily?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Henry’s lily. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Tall, arching stems with up to 20 nodding, light-orange Turk’s-cap flowers with swept-back, black-spotted petals in late summer. Found by Augustine Henry in 1888; one of the easiest lilies, long-lived and happy on lime. A parent of many Aurelian hybrid lilies.
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