Red lily varieties

These lilies carry red in the bloom, either as the main color or as part of a blend. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
10
Height
1½–8 ft (40–250 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 2–10
Form

5 Asiatic

2 Species

2 Oriental

1 Martagon

Compare all 10 side by side

All 10 red lily varieties

A Canada lily lily flower up close on the plant Canada lily Native species lily with up to 20 nodding speckled bells in orange, red or yellow. Midsummer, Late summer3–5 ft (91–152 cm)Species
A Claude Shride lily flower up close on the plant Claude Shride Martagon lily with glossy mahogany red Turk's cap flowers on 3 to 4 ft stems. Late spring, Early summer3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Martagon
A Enchantment lily flower up close on the plant Enchantment Asiatic lily with upright orange-red flowers spotted red-black, on stems 50 to 100 cm tall. Early summer (estimated) 1½–3½ ft (50–100 cm)Asiatic
A Leopard lily lily flower up close on the plant Leopard lily Tall West Coast species lily with nodding orange-red flowers spotted dark brown. Midsummer5–8 ft (150–250 cm)Species
A Matrix lily flower up close on the plant Matrix Dwarf Asiatic lily with red flowers with orange centers, 16 to 20 inches tall. Early summer, Midsummer16–20 in (41–51 cm)Asiatic
A Night Flyer lily flower up close on the plant Night Flyer Asiatic lily with slightly pendant black-red flowers and orange pollen on 3 to 4 foot stems. Early summer3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Asiatic
A Red Velvet lily flower up close on the plant Red Velvet Asiatic lily from 1964 with deep red, downward-facing recurved flowers on 3 to 4 foot stems. Early summer3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Asiatic
A Starfighter lily flower up close on the plant Starfighter Oriental lily with upward-facing crimson red flowers edged white on 3 to 4 foot stems. Midsummer, Late summer3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Oriental
A Stargazer lily flower up close on the plant Stargazer Oriental lily with upward-facing crimson pink flowers edged white on 3-foot stems. Midsummer, Late summer2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm)Oriental
A Tiny Padhye lily flower up close on the plant Tiny Padhye Dwarf Asiatic lily with white-tipped petals stained deep red, 40 to 45 cm tall. Midsummer16–18 in (40–45 cm)Asiatic

How to choose

  1. Check the Form column. The North American Lily Society lists red among Asiatic colors and deep dark red among martagons.

  2. Look in the Color column for red alone if you want a single clear red.

  3. Compare the Height column before you plan the bed.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Canada lily Species 3–5 ft (91–152 cm) 4–8 Midsummer, Late summer Part sun, Part shade
Claude Shride Martagon 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 3–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun, Part shade
Enchantment Asiatic 1½–3½ ft (50–100 cm) 4–9 (estimated) Early summer (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Leopard lily Species 5–8 ft (150–250 cm) 5–9 Midsummer Full sun, Part shade
Matrix Asiatic 16–20 in (41–51 cm) 3–9 Early summer, Midsummer Full sun, Part sun
Night Flyer Asiatic 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 4–10 Early summer Full sun
Red Velvet Asiatic 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 4–9 Early summer Full sun, Part sun
Starfighter Oriental 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 4–8 Midsummer, Late summer Full sun, Part shade
Stargazer Oriental 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) 4–9 Midsummer, Late summer Full sun, Part sun
Tiny Padhye Asiatic 16–18 in (40–45 cm) 2–9 Midsummer Full sun, Part shade

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

How deep should lily bulbs be planted?

The North American Lily Society advises about 3 to 4 inches of soil over small bulbs and 4 to 6 inches over larger ones. NC State Extension gives 8 inches for fall planting.

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