How to Grow Paradisea Plants

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Paradise Lily and St. Bruno's lily.

The Paradisea plant genus includes two members: Paradisea liliastrum and Paradisea lusitanica; these go by the common names of Paradise Lily or St. Bruno's lily.

Paradisea is an hardy perennial that reaches about 24 to 32 inches (60 to 80 cm) in height, with the Portuguese and Spanish native P. lusitanica being slightly higher at 32 to 40 inches (80 to 100 cm).

It is an alpine meadow plant that carries white funnel shaped flowers that bloom towards the end of spring.

Paradisea liliastrum
Paradisea liliastrum by mr.bong.bing.

Paradisea Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Paradise Lily, St. Bruno's lily.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 24 to 36 inches (60—90 cm)
Native: Southwest Europe.
Growing Region: Zones 4 to 8.
Flowers: Late spring.
Flower Details: White. Two inch (5 cm) long trumpets. Yellow anthers.
Foliage: Grey-green. Grass-like.
Growing guide: Seed grown plants will take about three years to bloom.
Roots: 3 inches (7.5 cm). Spring or autumn. Spacing: 12 inches (30 cm).
Seeds: Cover seed. Germination time: one to six months.
Method 1: Seeds should first be sown into flats in the autumn. 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. Bring the flats indoor at the beginning of spring and keep at 50°F (10°C).
Method 2: In the spring, mix seeds in a moist growing medium, then put in flats, wrap in a large plastic bag, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks. Next bury the flat as described above. Once seedlings emerge transplant them to their final location.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Deep, rich soil. Regular watering. Provide a spring feed. Autumn mulch. Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas or the autumn in warmer areas.

How to Grow Paradise Lily

Paradise Lilies can be grown either from seed or from roots. If growing from roots then bury them about 8cm deep in either the spring or autumn. Paradise Lilies are able to thrive in either a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden and require good drainage. The soil should be rich and deep.

If you plan to grow Paradise Lily (Paradisea) from seeds then sow the seeds into flats in the springtime. The flats should then be put into a plastic bag and placed in the fridge for about three weeks. The flats should then be sank into a shady part of the garden. It may take from one to six months to germinate. As soon as seedlings emerge transplant them into their desired location. It will take about three years before seed grown Paradisea will flower.

Caring for Paradisea

It is necessary to mulch Paradise lilies in the autumn and to feed them in the spring with fertiliser. They like a moist soil so regular watering is recommended if growing Paradise Lilies. If you require more plants then Paradisea can be propagated by division in the springtime.