Cardiocrinum Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 21st Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Cardiocrinum plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Giant Lily, and Giant Himalayan Lily: Cultivation & Garden Use

Cardiocrinum plants are hardy bulbs that have trumpet flowers of white. They can reach heights of close to 12 feet (350 cm).

Cardiocrinum are also known as Giant Lily or Giant Himalayan Lily.

Their flowers bloom in the summer.

Cardiocrinum giganteum (Giant Himalayan Lily) by Col Ford & Natasha de Vere

Cardiocrinum Growing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Giant Lily, Giant Himalayan Lily.
Life Cycle: Hardy bulb.
Height: 36 to 138 inches (90 to 350 cm).
Native: Asia.
Family: Liliaceae.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 9.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: White. White –Green. Some varieties have reddish centers. Fragrant. Trumpets
Fruit: Small red berries. Summer through autumn.
Foliage: Glossy. Heart-shaped. Feathery.
Sow Outside: Usually grown from Cardiocrinum bulbs as seed grown plants will not bear flowers for about six to eight years.
Cardiocrinum Bulbs: Bury so that the tip is at the level of the topsoil. Autumn. Spacing 24 to 48 inches (60 to 120 cm).
Seeds: cover. Autumn from fresh seed. Germination time: three months to two years. Seeds should first be sown onto flats. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist and to check if seedlings have emerged. Bring the flat indoors, and keep at 50°F (10°C) during the colder months. Transplant strong seedlings/bulbs to their final location following the last frost.
Sow inside: No
Requirements: Partial shade. Deep soil, moist loam. Mix in organic material. Provide a spring feed using a specialized bulb fertilizer. Feed once a month from then on with a weaker solution. Cooling compost mulch.
Propagate: by dividing bulbs in the middle of autumn.

How to Grow Giant Lily (Cardiocrinum)

When growing Cardiocrinum outdoors, the bulb should be planted in the autumn. Its tip should be at the same level as the soil.

If you have seeds make sure that they are fresh, and sow them out under a light soil cover, in north facing flats, covered with glass in the autumn.

Once the temperature drops below 10°C (50°F) the flats should be brought indoors, and then returned outside again in the spring (once a temperature of 10°C (50°F) has been maintained).

Throughout the process, the flats should be watered to keep moist.

Germination can take as little as three months, but it is more likely to take longer; sometimes as long as two years.

Caring for Cardiocrinum Species such as the Giant Himalayan Lily

The Giant Lily will not flower for at least five years and maybe longer when sown from seed.

Try planting giant lily seedlings with a spacing of at about 60 cm (two feet) apart in a partly shaded location of the garden for best results.

Cardiocrinum Lily will require to be fed with a bulb feed every spring, and have a light fertilizer applied every month.

Common Questions

How many members does the Cardiocrinum genus have?

The Cardiocrinum genus has around three species.

Do members of Cardiocrinum make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Absolutely! Cardiocrinum plants, also known as giant lilies, feature tall, dramatic spikes of trumpet-shaped flowers that can add a stunning element to shaded garden spaces.

Which Cardiocrinum species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

The most frequently grown is Cardiocrinum giganteum, renowned for its enormous height and fragrant, white flowers.

Are members of the Cardiocrinum plant genus fragrant?

Yes, the flowers of Cardiocrinum giganteum are known to have a pleasant fragrance.

What is the perfect location to grow Cardiocrinum?

Cardiocrinum grows best in a location with dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Is Cardiocrinum invasive in the USA?

Presently, Cardiocrinum is not considered invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Cardiocrinum plants from my garden?

Remove Cardiocrinum by digging up the bulbs, ensuring to remove all parts to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Cardiocrinum genus is part of the Liliaceae family, native to East Asia. These are the largest of all bulbs, and they produce magnificent, tall stems of highly fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers, making a striking addition to any garden.

Cardiocrinum should be planted in a shaded location with humus-rich, well-drained soil. They are typically grown from bulbs planted in the fall. Regular watering is necessary during the growing season. After blooming, the main bulb dies, but offsets around the base ensure the plant's survival.

I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Cardiocrinum plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Lily, Nomocharis plant, and Tricyrtis plants.