Plant Description of Japanese Lilies

Tricyrtis Hirta

• This flowering plant actually goes by multiple names: Japanese lily, Japanese hardy lily and the toad lily. Tricyrtis hirta can be grown in the United States in zones 4 through 8. They can grow up to 36 inches, and each individual plant can spread around 24 inches. The flowers are white with purple spots and begin blooming in the late summer and early fall. There are multiple cultivars of this plant, including slight variations in color. For example, the Miyazaki hybrids feature purple and black spots, while the sinonome variety features spots in a shade of burgundy. Tricyrtis hirta requires a shady location with well-drained but moist soil.

Lilium Speciosum

• This particular species of plant also goes by multiple names, including Japanese lily, Oriental lily and Asiatic lily. Of all the lilies listed here, this particular species is the only true lily, belonging to the Liliaceae family. These plants can grow quite large, reaching heights of up to 48 inches. The flowers are white but feature red or brown spots, though some hybrids may feature differing colors. Lilium speciosum prefers full sun, well-drained soil and biweekly fertilization.

Nerine Bowdenii

• Like the others, Nerine bowdenii can go by multiple names: Japanese spider lily, cape flower or Guernsey lily. This particular species blooms in the middle of the summer, usually around July. They can reach a height of up to 20 inches if grown in full sun and given water regularly. Nerine bowdenii produces delicate pink flowers that are almost spiderlike in appearance, which probably contributed to their common name of Japanese spider lily.

Arisaema Ringens

• Known by the common name of Japanese cobra lily, Arisaema ringens produces a green and purple striped flower that is curled. The foliage of Arisaema ringens can grow up to 24 inches. As the plant ages, red fruits will also begin appearing in the late fall or early winter. This particular variety of Japanese lily can survive in zones 5 through 9 in the United States.

Arisaema thunbergii

• Arisaema thunbergii is also known by the common name of Japanese cobra lily. This particular version, however, features a delicate flower that is similar in appearance to a jack-in-the-pulpit flower. Arisaema thunbergii prefers full shade with well-drained soil, where it can be an extremely hardy plant. The spadix, which is the jack portion inside the pulpit of the flower, can grow up to 10 inches or more in a twisted length. Like Arisaema ringens, Arisaema thunbergii can be grown in the United States in zones 5 through 9.