Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily) Lilium martagon
Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily) (Lilium martagon) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Liliaceae family, native to Mountain woods and meadows from Portugal and France across Europe to Mongolia. It grows 90 cm–1.8 m (35 in–5.9 ft) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -38 °C (-36 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.8 m (35 in–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -38 °C (-36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June 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 | Mountain woods and meadows from Portugal and France across Europe to Mongolia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Martagon lily (Turk’s cap 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, 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 Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily)
- How far apart should I plant Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily)?
- It tolerates about -38 °C (-36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily) flower?
- From about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Martagon lily (Turk’s cap 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, can cause acute kidney failure. Not poisonous to people or dogs.
- What grows well with Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Martagon lily (Turk’s cap 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
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Alpine Garden Society Encyclopaedia of Alpines and plant portraits, Alpine Garden Society, Pershore (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- Whorls of leaves on tall stems hung with dozens of small, nodding, spotted pink-purple (or white) Turk’s cap flowers in early summer, smelling sweet at night for moths. Slow to establish from seed but long-lived and self-seeding in light woodland.
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