Toad lily Tricyrtis hirta
Toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Liliaceae family, native to Japan. It grows 60–90 cm (24–35 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Toad lily in your garden →
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Toad lily at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Mature height | 60–90 cm (24–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Japan |
| Common in gardens of | 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Toad lily toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in 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 Toad lily
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
Questions about Toad lily
- How far apart should I plant Toad lily?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Toad lily need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Toad lily need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Toad lily?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Toad lily flower?
- From about September for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Toad 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 standard poison references.
- What grows well with Toad lily?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Toad lily. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Orchid-like white flowers heavily spotted purple, opening in autumn shade when little else does.
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
- Snake’s head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris
- Madonna lily Lilium candidum
- Regal lily Lilium regale
- Easter lily Lilium longiflorum
- Tiger lily Lilium lancifolium