Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for May, June.
Grow for Beauty
When to plant Lily in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartPlant bulbsLightFull or part sunTimingFlowers in spring–summerDifficultyEasy
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctWaitNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, June.
Start well
Plant lily with confidence
Plant bulbs. Position the growing point correctly and use the packet or label for species-specific depth.
- Sowing or planting depth
- Plant at the existing crown or root-ball level unless the label specifies otherwise.
- Germination or establishment
- Not normally started from seed in this guide; establishment speed depends on plant size, season and root condition.
- Spacing
- Use the mature width on the label; Patch's broad family guide is only a starting point.
- Soil
- Well-prepared soil with compost and reliable drainage; usually ph 6.0–7.0.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Use compost before planting and a flower-forming feed only when the species benefits from it.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Keep moist while establishing, then water deeply when the surface dries.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Let foliage yellow naturally after flowering so the bulb can store energy for its next season.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
Flowers in spring–summer. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Bulb rot, snails, slugs and fungal spotting are the main risks. Discard soft bulbs and avoid persistently wet soil.
Useful neighbours
Combine with shallow-rooted annuals or groundcovers that will not hide emerging shoots or keep dormant bulbs wet.
People and pets
Safety note
Important: many true lilies are extremely dangerous to cats, including pollen and vase water. Keep them inaccessible and seek urgent veterinary advice after exposure.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Check local weed, invasive-plant and interstate quarantine rules before sharing or moving unfamiliar plant material.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026