Can You Plant Strawberries in With Tiger Lilies?

Growing Conditions

• Grow strawberries and tiger lilies separately to accommodate their varying growing needs. Strawberries, for example, need full sun to produce the best fruit, while tiger lilies thrive in partial shade. Strawberries need rich soil and frequent fertilizing, while tiger lilies prefer slightly infertile soil. Every fall, gardeners renovate strawberries by mowing down new growth. Tiger lilies would likely be harmed during this process.

Growth

• Strawberries spread quickly through runners; tiger lilies spread more slowly through underground bulbs. When planted together, strawberries would likely engulf the tiger lilies. Strawberries, in general, grow best when given their own space, such as a raised bed, strawberry pot or strawberry planter, where their rampant growth won't harm other plants.

Caution

• Perhaps the most important reason to grow these two plants separately is toxicity. All parts of the tiger lily plant are very toxic, especially to cats. Avoid planting strawberries and tiger lilies together to prevent accidental ingestion of the lilies.

General Recommendations

• Plant strawberries alone, but plant tiger lilies with other perennials. Tiger lilies have long stems and somewhat awkward foliage. By planting them with other mounding perennials, you'll hide the stems when the plant isn't blooming. Perennials also keep the ground cool and conserve moisture, an important growing consideration for tiger lilies.