What Is the Size of an Orange Lily?

Size

• Orange lily grows to be approximately 4 feet tall, producing grayish-green, lance-shaped leaves that are up to 4 inches long. The plant's funnel-shaped, brilliant-orange, waxy flowers are up to 4 inches long. Orange lily grows from a coarse bulb. According to Plants for a Future, orange lily bulbs are edible and have a sweet flavor when cooked. The bulbs are sometimes used as a potato substitute.

Propagation

• Orange lily is cultivated from seed or division. The plant does best when sown in a cold frame. The seed germinates in spring, doing best in a cold, shaded environment. Fertilize young seedlings regularly to increase growth. Keep in a warm greenhouse until the plants are about 1 year old. Plants may be divided in autumn, once the leaves have died for the season. Divided plants must be replanted immediately.

Growth

• Orange lily is native to Eastern-Central Europe, where it grows on rocky slopes, lightly shaded woodlands and scrub lands. Orange lily prefers its root to be in the shade, while the rest of the plant is the sun. Orange lily is tolerant of a range of soil conditions, growing in light, sandy soils as well as heavy, clay soils, though it prefers a well-draining, humus-rich soil. The plant isn't picky about soil pH and can tolerate acidic as well as alkaline soils.

Growth

• For best growth, water regularly during the growing season to keep the soil consistently moist, but not water logged or flooded, at all times. Protect plants against pests such as slugs in early spring, which may eat the shoot tips. If the shoot tips are eaten away, the plant will lose vigor and may not grow at all during the season. Fertilize regularly, watering immediately afterward to prevent burning the plant.