St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily) Paradisea liliastrum
St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily) (Paradisea liliastrum) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asphodelaceae family, native to Alpine meadows of the Alps, Jura, Pyrenees and Apennines. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
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St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asphodelaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Alpine meadows of the Alps, Jura, Pyrenees and Apennines |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
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 St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily)
- How far apart should I plant St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily)?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily) flower?
- From about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is St Bruno’s lily (paradise 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. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for St Bruno’s lily (paradise lily). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Alpine Garden Society Encyclopaedia of Alpines and plant portraits, Alpine Garden Society, Pershore (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- Grassy leaves and stems of pure white, fragrant, lily-like trumpets with yellow anthers in early summer, scattered through high meadows. Named after St Bruno, founder of the Carthusian order at the Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Red hot poker Kniphofia uvaria
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- Quiver tree (kokerboom) Aloidendron dichotomum
- Bitter aloe (Cape aloe) Aloe ferox
- Grass tree (balga) Xanthorrhoea preissii
- Blue flax lily (paroo lily) Dianella caerulea