Are Oriental Lilies Poisonous to Other Plants?

About Oriental Lilies

• Oriental lilies, Lilium oriental, are one of the most magnificent lily plants, favored for the large, fragrant and colorful flowers. The plant grows taller than the Asiatic lily, reaching heights of 3 to 6 feet, and begins it blooming season in mid summer, after the Asiatic lily. Grown from bulbs, Oriental lilies will divide and multiply over time in gardens located in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 10.

Growing Oriental Lilies

• Oriental lily bulbs can be planted in the fall or early spring, using large, plump, healthy bulbs. Select a location in full sun with rich, loamy soil that drains well. The bulbs should be planted 8 to 12 inches apart with other plants, as the toxic elements of the Oriental lily do not leach into the soil or harm nearby plants. Oriental lilies prefer fertilizer that is a slow release with a low nitrogen, high phosphorus content, such as 5-10-10. After the Oriental lily has finished blooming, snip off the dead blossoms, but leave the stem and foliage to continue gathering food and energy for the bulb and next year's bloom.

Oriental Lily Poison

• Although the Oriental lily is not poisonous to plants growing nearby, it is toxic to humans and animals that may ingest the roots, bulb, stems, leaves, flowers or even the pollen. Cats, and possibly dogs, are particularly sensitive to lily poison and ingesting even a small amount. In cats the symptoms, like vomiting, lose of appetite and depression, will show within 30 to 60 minutes and in a few days exhibit signs of kidney failure. It is believed that 50 to 90 percent of cats that consume Oriental lily parts die within five days. Immediate treatment by a veterinarian within six hours of a cat ingesting a part of an Oriental lily can save your pet.

Companion Plants

• With tall flower stalks and large blooms, companion plants for Oriental lilies are lower growing, colorful blooming annual and perennial plants. The foliage and flower colors of Russian sage and lavender are complimentary to oriental lily flowers and creates a visually pleasing display. Phlox, salvia, rudbeckia, asters, coneflowers and low growing ornamental grasses are companion plants to Oriental lilies that will not distract from the magnificent lily blooms.