Formosa lily (Lilium formosanum) is endemic to Tawain but has become naturalized in certain parts of the Americas, Africa, and Australia. The plant can grow up to 2 m tall and produces large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers that may be up to 30 cm in length. The flowers develop into attractive seed pods that are sometimes used in dried arrangements.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Lilium formosanum, also known as the Formosa lily or Taiwanese lily (traditional Chinese: 台灣百合; simplified Chinese: 台湾百合; pinyin: Táiwān bǎihé), is a plant species in the lily family, endemic to Taiwan. It is closely related to the Easter lily found in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, eastern and northern Taiwan. Both species are cultivated for their showy, trumpet-shaped flowers. Lilium formosanum has become naturalized in scattered locations in Africa, Australia, and the Americas.
Several common names for the Taiwanese lily are in use among Taiwanese-speaking peoples. These include wild lily (野百合 or 高砂百合), trumpet flower (喇叭花), mountain garlic (山蒜頭, 山石蒜, or 山蒜瓣), and master’s flask (師公鈃 or 師公鈃仔花). It is said the flower has another name of flower of broken bowl (打碗花) from the elderly members of the Hakka ethnic group. They believe that because the Taiwanese lily grows near bodies of clean water, harming the lily may damage the environment, just like breaking the bowls that people rely on. An alternative explanation is that parents convince children into not taking the lily by convincing the children that their dinner bowls may break if they destroy this flower.
Lilium formosanum reaches a height of 120 to 150 cm. The bulbs are small, rounded and reach a diameter of around 2 to 4 cm. They consist of white to yellowish lanceolate scales. The stem is smooth to papillose and sometimes tinged with purple. The leaves are linear or narrow and lanceolate, 2.5 to 15 cm long and 4 to 13 mm wide. They are freely distributed around the stem.
The plant blooms from June to December with one to five fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers in an umbel. The hermaphrodite flowers are threefold. The six identically shaped flower bracts are broadly spatulate and 11.5 to 14.5 cm long. The basic color of the flowers is pure white, the outside is purple. Each flower contains three carpels and six stamens. The anthers are about 10 mm long, the pollen is yellow, the filaments are very long, about 10 cm. The nectaries are green and papillose on both sides. The seeds ripen in slender 7 cm to 9 cm long seed capsules and germinate immediately above the soil surface.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Formosa lily prefers filtered sunlight. If it is too strong, it can damage the quality of the flowers and the whole plant. Most lilies require between four and six hours (or more) of sunlight. With more sunlight, the plant will be able to make more food and produce more leaves and flowers.
If your formosa lily is planted in a place that receives great amounts of strong, direct sunlight, around 30% of the sunlight should be blocked. If planted in a garden, it should be planted at the edges of shrubbery or besides fences.
Temperature
The optimum temperature during the growth period is 16 to 25 ℃. If temperatures exceed 28 ℃, the plant will be shorter, there will be fewer flower buds, and blind (non-productive) buds may appear. When rooting, the soil temperature should be maintained at 12 to 15 ℃.
When temperatures fall below 13 ℃ at night, the leaves can turn yellow and fall off. The plant stops growing below 8 ℃. Formosa lily are not resistant to freezing temperatures, and bulbs should be harvested and stored during the fall.
In the high temperatures of summer, water continuously cools the plant and the soil temperature. Lilies should be watered immediately after planting and once every two or three days after that. They require about 2.5 cm of water each week.
Stop watering 10 days before harvesting the bulbs, as formosa lily are not resistant to standing water. High soil humidity can cause seedlings to die. Therefore, pay attention to drainage during rainy seasons.
Watering
Originating from the mountainous regions, formosa lily is accustomed to consistent moisture levels and moderate humidity. This species thrives when maintaining a balance in soil moisture, showing a preference for environments that mimic its native habitat’s periodic rainfall. Watering should occur once every week to sustain its health. As an outdoor plant often found gracing gardens, formosa lily particularly benefits during its growing season from rainwater, which can provide the ideal pH and natural nutrients for optimal growth.
Soil
Plant formosa lily in loose, fertile, and slightly acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Continuously growing lilies in the same place can significantly reduce the quality of the flowers, so plant them in well-drained, thick, sandy loam where no Liliaceae plants have been planted before.
Fertilizing
For formosa lily, apply a balanced nutrition fertilizer monthly in spring and summer, ensuring it’s rich in phosphorus to stimulate lush foliage and robust blooms. Reduce to bi-monthly in fall, and suspend in winter when growth slows. Use high phosphorus supplements before flowering for optimal bloom quality. Apply at half-strength, avoiding over-fertilization, which can harm formosa lily. In different growth stages, adjust quantity and frequency to align with formosa lily’s active growth and dormancy periods. Always water formosa lily before fertilizing to prevent root burn. Ensuring formosa lily receives the right nutrients in the correct amounts will result in vigorous growth and vibrant flowers.
Pruning
When buds emerge, the terminal (main) bud should be removed to reduce nutrient consumption, transfer nutrients to the bulb, and help the bulb expand. At the same time, remove the buds growing where the shoot grows out of the main stem (the leaf axil).
Pinch buds off after the dew has dried on a sunny morning. Damaged, dead, or excessively long branches should be removed to look nicer and keep the lily healthy. After blooming, prune withered flowers to facilitate the blooming of other buds.
Propagation
An elegant flowering beauty, formosa lily is commonly propagated by sowing. To successfully cultivate formosa lily, use fresh seed for optimal germination. Surface-sow the seeds in a well-draining, fertile substrate, lightly covering with soil. Ensure consistent moisture without waterlogging and provide a stable, bright environment but not direct sunlight. Once seedlings are robust enough to handle, transplant them into individual pots before eventually moving them to their permanent garden location.
Transplanting
The perfect time to move formosa lily is the fall, otherwise known as /’S1/’. This allows the plant to establish roots during the cooler winter months. Pick a sunny location, ensuring the soil drains well. Although robust, formosa lily benefits from added compost during transplant.
III. Uses and Benefits
Formosa lily grows relatively tall stems decorated with showy trumpet-shaped flowers. Its height makes the plant suitable for planting in the middle and back positions of flower borders in cottage or informal gardens. Also, it can look lovely as a wallside border, and it is a suitable material for cutting gardens. Formosa lily can also be grown in containers and pots, but in that case, the flowers turn out smaller.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Harvest freshly cut flowers in evening or early morning of a sunny day. Freshly harvested flowers should be kept away from direct sunlight and can be stored in cold storage for fresh-keeping.