Quick answer: Wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum) is native to 28 states. What's commonly sold under this name is often a bred variety or the wrong species — see the lookalike alert below. No live listing of the true species was found as of 03 Nov 2026.
Photo: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service (retired), Bugwood.org, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Dry |
| Soil | Well-drained, humus-rich soils |
| Bloom | Bloom Jul-Aug |
| Height | Up to 4 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Attracts hummingbirds, conspicuous flowers |
Lookalike alert
⚠ No fix found 14 Sep 2026: no genuine Amazon.com listing found — searches return unrelated Asiatic/Oriental lily cultivars and Lilium martagon, not this species.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 03 Nov 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Wood lily
Where is Wood lily native?
Wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum) is native to 28 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Wood lily bloom?
Wood lily blooms Jul-Aug. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Wood lily need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Dry. Soil: Well-drained, humus-rich soils. Mature height: Up to 4 ft tall.
Is Wood lily good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Attracts hummingbirds, conspicuous flowers.
Is Wood lily deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Wood lily is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Where can I buy Wood lily?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 03 Nov 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Lilium philadelphicum by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Wood lily.
- Smooth Solomon's seal Polygonatum biflorum
- Eastern red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
- Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa
- Common evening primrose Oenothera biennis
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
Also listed under
Get the full buying guide
Every pick worth knowing across pollinators, shade, drought and more, in one PDF, with the tradeoffs spelled out. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
