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Asiatic vs Oriental Lilies: Which to Grow and How to Plant Both
Asiatic and Oriental lilies look similar in a catalogue photograph and behave nothing alike in a garden. One is early, unscented and tough; the other is late, intensely fragrant and fussier about soil. Buying the wrong group for your site is the most common reason lilies disappoint.
The quick comparison
| Asiatic | Oriental | |
|---|---|---|
| Flowering | June–July | Late July–September |
| Scent | None to faint | Heavy, sweet |
| Hardiness | Zones 3–9 | Zones 5–8 |
| Soil | Adaptable | Acid, free-draining, humus-rich |
| Height | 2–4 ft | 3–6 ft |
| Best for | Cutting, borders, cold climates | Perfume, late colour, sheltered spots |
Planting, both groups
Plant in autumn or early spring, 6 inches deep for most varieties — deeper than most bulbs, because lilies root from the stem above the bulb as well as from the base. Space 8–12 inches apart. Good drainage is non-negotiable; a handful of grit in the planting hole is cheap insurance against basal rot.
Sun and support
Lilies want sun at the flowers and shade at the roots. The classic solution is to plant them among low perennials that keep the soil cool — hardy geraniums, alchemilla, or a low grass. Tall Oriental varieties need staking by mid-June, before the buds get heavy.
Why lilies “disappear”
Two culprits. The lily beetle, a scarlet insect that strips foliage in days, and poor drainage that rots the bulb in its first winter. Inspect plants weekly from April; the beetles are easy to spot and easy to squash, and their larvae hide under a blob of excrement on the leaf underside. For drainage, plant on a slight mound if your soil is heavy.
Cutting for the house
Cut stems when the first bud is just opening, taking no more than a third of the stem, and leave at least two-thirds of the foliage on the plant to feed the bulb. Remove the anthers before bringing Oriental lilies indoors — the pollen stains fabric permanently and is toxic to cats.
Container growing
Both groups grow well in pots. Use a deep container (lilies need 10 inches of soil depth), a loam-based compost with added grit, and plant 6 inches deep. Keep pots cool in summer and move them somewhere sheltered for winter in cold zones, where roots would otherwise freeze solid.
Which to choose
- Cold climate, cutting garden: Asiatic lilies — early, sturdy, no scent to overpower a room.
- Scented evenings, sheltered garden: Oriental lilies such as ‘Stargazer’ types.
- Small space: dwarf Asiatic varieties, 18–24 inches, happy in a pot.
- Late colour after other lilies fade: Orienpet hybrids — the vigour of Asiatic with much of the Oriental perfume.
Browse our lily bulbs for both groups, or read the planting notes in our FAQ if you are unsure about depth in your soil type.