Humboldt's Lily Seeds|Lilium humboldtii subsp. ocellatum|California Native|Native Wildflower|Native Plants|Seeds|Lily|Rare|Gardening|Organic

Humboldt's Lily is a species of lily endemic to California named after naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt. It is native to the South High Cascade Range, High Sierra Nevada, south Outer South Coast Ranges, and Southwestern California, growing at elevations from 600 meters (2,000 feet) to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet). It grows up to 8 feet tall, with flowers that are large and showy, golden-orange with dark red or maroon splotches and orange to brown stamens. The plant flowers in June, with flowers growing in a pyramidal flower cluster. The flowers are on stout stems, which are sometimes brown-purple. The subrhizomatous bulb is large, with yellowish-white scales, and grows very deep in the soil. The leaves grow in whorls, and are undulate, shiny, and oblance-shaped. It is summer-deciduous, dying back after flowering in mid- to late summer, and it should be allowed to go dry at that time. In winter it will do well with minimal supplemental water unless it is an especially dry winter.

For propagating by seed: Sow outdoors in summer for germination the following spring, or 3-6 mos. warm then 2-3 mos. cold stratification. Seeds may also give good germination by spring if sown outdoors in early fall. For forcing slightly green or fresh seeds: 6-8 wks. warm (70°F) stratification or until the majority of seeds have formed bulblets; then 4-6 wks. cold (about 35°FJ stratification; sow, and at 55 to 60°F leaves should be produced in 4-6 wks. (De Graaff 1951).

Direct Seed in Ground

If you are planting Humboldt lily seeds in-ground, choose your location carefully, as discussed earlier. Be sure to remove any weeds that will compete with the lily seedlings. Lily seeds need a period of warm, moist stratification followed by months of cool, moist stratification, which our Sierra climate provides if you seed them in September. Scarify the top layer of soil with a rake or cultivator to create a rough and soft seedbed. Spread the seeds loosely over the bed so they are well spaced out.

Cover them with about one-quarter inch of loamy topsoil. Gently tamp the seedbed to compact it slightly. Mulch the seedbed with a thin layer (about one-half inch thick) of bark fines, pine needles and/or oak leaves to protect the seeds from erosion and reduces intrusions from varmints. Mark your seedbed with flags, rocks or some other method so that you will be able to find your seedlings.


Gently water the seedbed and keep moist throughout the winter months if we have a dry winter. Note that not all seeds will germinate the first year but instead germinate over a two-to-three year period. Lily seedlings are quite small their first year, having one or two small, oval leaves above ground. They are investing most of their energy into forming a bulb to store energy for the next year’s growth. Be patient; a lily needs to grow for four to five years to store enough energy in its bulb to flower. Then, the glory of those huge, pendulous orange and speckled flowers will provide you with great satisfaction and reward for your attention!

Packet will contain 15 seeds.