Lily seed germination guidelines
Practical cues
- If Asiatic/Sinomartagon or most Chinese Trumpets → start as Immediate Epigeal: sow on the surface or barely covered; 18–22 °C, bright light, evenly moist, expect 2–5 weeks.
- If North American (except L. philadelphicum) or Oriental/Archelirion or Martagons → treat as Delayed Hypogeal: baggie/pot warm in the dark 12–16 weeks (root/bulb forms), then 8–12 weeks cold (1–5 °C), then light & 10–15 °C for leaf. Patience.
- "Double-cycle" easterners (michauxii, catesbaei, parryi) often respond best to warm → cold → warm to push that first leaf.
- Keep air moving; lilies hate stagnant, wet media. Use gritty, free-draining mixes and avoid peat-heavy substrates for the western North American species.
Archelirion
(Japanese “Oriental” lilies)
| Species | Germination | Typical Timing | Temperature | Light | Notes | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. auratum | Delayed hypogeal | Warm 12–16 wk → Cold 8–12 wk; leaf next spring | 18–22 °C → 1–5 °C | Dark (warm) → Light (after chill) | Classic Oriental pattern | Confirmed |
| L. auratum var. platyphyllum | Delayed hypogeal | As above | As above | As above | Larger seedlings; same cycle | Inferred |
| L. speciosum (incl. vars.) | Delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo to first leaf | 18–22 °C → 1–5 °C | Dark→Light | Can be slow; don’t over-wet | Confirmed |
| L. nobilissimum | Delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo | 18–22 °C → 1–5 °C | Dark→Light | Ryukyu endemic; slow | Inferred |
| L. alexandrae | Delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo | As above | As above | Very slow; keep cool & airy | Inferred |
| L. japonicum | Delayed hypogeal (some lots epigeal) | 6–12 mo | As above | As above | Variable lots | Confirmed |
| L. rubellum | Delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo | As above | As above | Cool, free-draining | Confirmed |
Leucolirion
(Chinese “Trumpets” & related)
| Species | Germination | Timing | Temperature | Light | Notes | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. regale | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–20 °C | Light; sow shallow | Even, steady moisture | Confirmed |
| L. sargentiae | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Robust seedlings | Inferred |
| L. leucanthum | Immediate epigeal | 2–5 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Avoid heat spikes | Inferred |
| L. sulphureum | Immediate epigeal | 3–4 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Do not over-pot early | Inferred |
| L. rosthornii | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Similar to regale | Inferred |
| L. brownii (incl. var. viridulum) | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Warm-loving; good air | Inferred |
| L. henryi | Immediate epigeal | 3–6 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Tolerant of warmth | Confirmed |
| L. longiflorum (incl. forms) | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Classic quick starter | Confirmed |
| L. formosanum | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Fast & forgiving | Confirmed |
| L. philippinense | Immediate epigeal | 3–4 wk | ~20–22 °C | Light | Avoid soggy media | Inferred |
Sinomartagon
(Asiatic allies; many “Asiatic” types)
| Species | Germination | Timing | Temperature | Light | Notes | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. amabile | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Fresh seed = faster | Confirmed |
| L. callosum | Immediate epigeal | ~3 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Sensitive to drying | Confirmed |
| L. cernuum | Immediate epigeal | 2–3 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Fine-textured mix | Inferred |
| L. concolor | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Some lots pause later w/o chill | Confirmed |
| L. dauricum (incl. var. pensylvanicum) | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Even moisture | Confirmed |
| L. davidii (incl. var. willmottiae) | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Vigorous | Confirmed |
| L. lancifolium (syn. tigrinum) | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Fresh seed = 10–17 d | Confirmed |
| L. leichtlinii (var. maximowiczii) | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Rapid starter | Confirmed |
| L. lophophorum | Immediate epigeal | 3–4 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Don’t overwater | Inferred |
| L. maculatum | Immediate epigeal | 2–3 wk | 18–20 °C | Light | Cool nights help | Confirmed |
| L. medeoloides | Immediate epigeal (some lots delayed) | 2–5 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Variable lots | Confirmed |
| L. pumilum | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Fast, uniform | Confirmed |
| L. tsingtauense | Immediate epigeal (some lots delayed) | 2–4 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Variable; don’t overheat | Confirmed |
| L. wardii | Immediate epigeal | ~3 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Consistent moisture | Inferred |
| L. bakerianum | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Airy, gritty mix | Inferred |
| L. duchartrei | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Light-sensitive | Inferred |
| L. fargesii | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Gentle moisture | Inferred |
| L. lijiangense | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Cool nights preferred | Inferred |
| L. souliei | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Avoid compaction | Inferred |
| L. primulinum (var. burmanicum, ochraceum) | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Himalayan/SE Asia | Confirmed |
| L. majoense | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Similar to primulinum | Confirmed |
| L. wallichianum | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Himalayan trumpet | Confirmed |
| L. poilanei | Immediate epigeal | 3–6 wk | ~20 °C | Light | Warm, airy | Inferred |
| L. neilgherrense | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | 18–20 °C | Light | Cool, misty; free-drain | Inferred |
Pseudolirium
(North American—West & East; many are delayed hypogeal)
| Species | Germination | Timing | Temperature | Light | Notes | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. columbianum | Delayed hypogeal | Warm 12–16 wk → Cold 8–12 wk; leaf spring | 18–22 °C → 1–5 °C | Dark→Light | Roadside PNW lily | Confirmed |
| L. washingtonianum (incl. ssp. purpurascens) | Delayed hypogeal (double in some lots) | 9–18 mo total | As above | As above | Can be very slow | Confirmed |
| L. pardalinum (incl. ssp. shastense, vollmeri, pitkinense) | Delayed hypogeal | 9–15 mo | As above | As above | River-corridor complex | Confirmed |
| L. parvum (incl. f. crocatum) | Delayed hypogeal | 9–15 mo | As above | As above | Sierra meadows | Confirmed |
| L. kelleyanum | Delayed hypogeal | 9–15 mo | As above | As above | Wet meadows | Confirmed |
| L. rubescens | Delayed hypogeal | 9–15 mo | As above | As above | Redwood margins | Inferred |
| L. occidentale | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Hummingbird coastal | Confirmed |
| L. maritimum | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Coastal, fog belt | Inferred |
| L. bolanderi | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Serpentine endemic | Confirmed |
| L. kelloggii | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Klamath pink giant | Confirmed |
| L. humboldtii (incl. ssp. ocellatum) | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | California trumpet | Confirmed |
| L. pitkinense (often within pardalinum complex) | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Listed taxon | Inferred |
| L. shastense (pardalinum group) | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | High-lat subspp. | Inferred |
| L. vollmeri (pardalinum group) | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Rogue/Umpqua | Inferred |
| L. parryi (SW yellow) | Delayed hypogeal (often “double”) | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Cool root-run critical | Confirmed |
| L. philadelphicum | Immediate epigeal (notable exception in NA) | 3–6 wk | 15–20 °C | Light | Dryland lily; quick | Confirmed |
| L. canadense | Delayed hypogeal | 9–15 mo | 18–22 °C → 1–5 °C | Dark→Light | NE/Canada | Confirmed |
| L. michiganense | Delayed hypogeal | 9–15 mo | As above | As above | Great Lakes | Confirmed |
| L. superbum | Delayed hypogeal | 9–15 mo | As above | As above | Eastern tall lily | Confirmed |
| L. michauxii | Delayed hypogeal (often “double”) | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Coastal Plain | Confirmed |
| L. catesbaei | Delayed hypogeal (double) | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | SE bog lily | Confirmed |
| L. iridollae | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Acid peat seeps | Confirmed |
| L. grayi | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Southern Appalachians | Confirmed |
| L. pyrophilum | Delayed hypogeal | 12–18 mo | As above | As above | Sandhills endemic | Confirmed |
Martagon & allies
(Eurasian turk’s-caps; mostly delayed hypogeal)
| Species | Germination | Timing | Temperature | Light | Notes | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. martagon (incl. forms/vars.) | Delayed hypogeal | 9–18 mo | 18–22 °C → 1–5 °C | Dark→Light | Classic hypogeal | Confirmed |
| L. hansonii | Delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo | As above | As above | Moist, cool | Confirmed |
| L. tsukushiense | Delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo | As above | As above | Japan; slow | Inferred |
| L. distichum | Delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo | As above | As above | NE Asia | Confirmed |
| L. medeoloides (see note above) | Variable; often immediate epigeal; some lots delayed | 2–5 wk or 9–12 mo | ~20 °C or cycle | Light or Dark→Light | Lot-dependent | Confirmed |
Liriotypus / European
(mixed; candidum group & Balkan taxa)
| Species | Germination | Timing | Temperature | Light | Notes | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. candidum | Immediate epigeal | 2–4 wk | 15–20 °C | Light | Autumn leaf rosette later | Confirmed |
| L. chalcedonicum | Immediate epigeal (likely; some lots slow) | 3–6 wk | 18–20 °C | Light | Mediterranean summer-dry | Inferred |
| L. carniolicum (incl. bosniacum, jankae, rhodopaeum) | Mixed; often delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo | 18–22 °C → 1–5 °C | Dark→Light | Balkan complex; variable | Inferred |
| L. pyrenaicum (incl. var. rubrum) | Immediate epigeal (some lots delayed) | 3–6 wk | 18–20 °C | Light | Alpine/pyrenean | Confirmed |
| L. monadelphum | Mixed; epigeal or delayed | 3–6 wk or 9–12 mo | As above | As above | Caucasus variability | Inferred |
| L. kesselringianum / szovitsianum / ponticum / ciliatum / armenum | Mixed; many delayed hypogeal | 9–12 mo | 18–22 °C → 1–5 °C | Dark→Light | Caucasus/Anatolia; variable | Inferred |
| L. humile | Immediate epigeal | 2–5 wk | 18–22 °C | Light | Small, nimble | Inferred |
| L. xanthellum (incl. var. luteum) | Immediate epigeal | 3–5 wk | ~20 °C | Light | East Asian outlier | Inferred |
Works Cited
Classic Taxonomy & Floras
- Comber, Harold Frederick. A New Classification of the Genus Lilium. Royal Horticultural Society, 1949.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. Flora of North America North of Mexico, Vol. 26. Oxford University Press, 2002.
- Woodcock, H. B. D., and William T. Stearn. Lilies of the World: Their Cultivation and Classification. Country Life Limited, 1950.
Cultivation & Germination Guides
- McRae, Edward A. Lilies: A Guide for Growers and Collectors. Timber Press, 1998.
- Mathew, Brian. The Genus Lilium. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 2002.
- Pacific Bulb Society. “Lily Germination by Species.” PBS Wiki. Accessed 2025.
- North American Lily Society (NALS). Seed germination charts and bulletins.
Molecular & Phylogenetic Studies
- Duan, N., et al. “Phylogenomic Analysis of Lilium Based on Complete Chloroplast Genomes.” Frontiers in Plant Science 13 (2022): 825134.
- Kim, J. S., et al. “Systematic Relationships of Lilium and Related Genera Based on Plastome and Nuclear Data.” Plants 8, no. 12 (2019): 547.
- Gao, Y., et al. “Comparative Analysis of Chloroplast Genomes in the Genus Lilium.” BMC Plant Biology 23 (2023): 67.
- Nishikawa, T., et al. “Phylogenetic Analysis of Lilium and Related Genera Based on ITS Sequences.” Plant Systematics and Evolution 247 (2004): 21–30.
- Douglas, N. A., et al. “Recent Vicariance and the Origin of the Rare Endemic Lilium pyrophilum.” Molecular Ecology 20 (2011): 1239–1251.
Regional & Specialized References
- Yamaguchi, S., et al. “Genetic Diversity and Phylogeography of Japanese Endemic Lilies.” Journal of Plant Research 127 (2014): 175–187.
- Compton, J. “Two Endemic and Critically Endangered Ryukyu Island Lilies Lilium nobilissimum and Lilium ukeyuri.” Curtis’s Botanical Magazine 33, no. 3 (2016): 248–261.
- Skinner, M. W., and B. A. Sorrie. “A New Species of Lilium from North Carolina and South Carolina.” Novon 9 (1999): 534–540.