Lily Care Tips: Overcome Common Pests and Diseases

Lilies in the UK – Growing Guide & Pest Management Growing Lilies in the UK Ideal Conditions: Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil with good organic matter Light: Full sun to partial shade (with some wind protection) Watering: Consistent during growth, avoid waterlogging Planting Time: Autumn or early spring Popular Lily Types: Asiatic lilies: Early bloomers, unscented, wide colour range, hardy Oriental lilies: Fragrant, large flowers, later blooming Trumpet lilies: Large, trumpet-shaped and fragrant midsummer Martagon lilies: Nodding flowers, good in partial shade Longiflorum lilies: Tall, elegant Easter lilies, fragrant General Care Tips: Stake tall varieties Deadhead spent flowers Cut down stems in autumn after dieback Mulch in spring Lift and divide every 3–4 years Common Lily Pests and Remedies 1. Scarlet Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii) Adults: Bright red beetles, 8–10mm, active from March to October Larvae: Orange-brown grubs covered in black faeces (“faecal shield”), found on leaf undersides Eggs: Orange-red, laid in rows under leaves Damage: Rapid defoliation, bud damage, flower destruction Control: Manual: Pick off adults/larvae, remove eggs Organic: Neem oil spray, insecticidal soap Chemical: Pyrethrum-based sprays (e.g., Bug Clear Ultra) Cultural: Keep planting area clean, avoid overcrowding 2. Aphids Symptoms: Sticky residue (honeydew), curled leaves, distorted buds Damage: Weakens plant, may transmit viruses Control: Wash off with water Encourage ladybirds and lacewings Use neem oil, garlic spray, or insecticidal soap 3. Slugs and Snails Symptoms: Holes in leaves, damage to new shoots Control: Traps (e.g., beer traps), night patrols Barriers (copper tape, crushed eggshells) Biological control (nematodes) Diseases Affecting Lilies 1. Botrytis (Grey Mould) Symptoms: Brown leaf spots, grey fuzzy mould Cause: Damp, poorly ventilated conditions Control: Improve airflow, avoid overhead watering Remove infected material Use fungicides if severe 2. Basal Rot Symptoms: Soft, rotting bulbs Cause: Fungal disease, wet soil Control: Ensure well-drained soil Avoid overwatering Discard infected bulbs Dust new bulbs with fungicide before planting 3. Lily Viruses Symptoms: Mottled leaves, distorted growth Spread by: Aphids Control: Remove infected plants Control aphids Use virus-free stock Healthy Lily Practices

Healthy Lily Practices

Task	Frequency
Inspect for pests	Weekly (March–October)
Deadhead spent blooms	As needed
Stake tall lilies	At planting or early growth
Water consistently	Weekly during dry periods
Mulch	Spring
Divide congested bulbs	Every 3–4 years

Summary Table: Lily Beetle Control

Stage	Action
Adults	Hand-pick, drop in soapy water
Eggs	Rub off from leaf undersides
Larvae	Remove manually or spray neem/pyrethrum
General	Inspect regularly, tidy garden base

Note: Always spray in early morning or evening to protect pollinators, and never spray open flowers. Regular checks and quick action are key to healthy, flowering lilies in UK gardens.

Lily Beetle (Lilioceris lilii) – Identification, Damage & Quick Control Guide About Lily Beetles Scientific name: Lilioceris lilii Common name: Scarlet lily beetle Origin: Native to Europe; now widespread in the UK Primary targets: Lilies (Lilium spp.) and fritillaries Adult beetles: Bright scarlet-red body, black legs and underside 8–10mm long Active from March to October Chew holes in leaves, stems, buds, and flowers Larvae: Orange to yellowish grubs Covered in their black excrement (a “faecal shield”) Found on the undersides of leaves Cause rapid defoliation and damage to buds Eggs: Orange/red, laid in neat rows on the underside of leaves Hatch in 6–10 days Life cycle: Adults overwinter in soil or garden debris Emerge in spring to feed, mate, and lay eggs Larvae feed for 2–3 weeks before pupating in the soil New adults emerge in summer and repeat the cycle Symptoms & Damage Chewed leaves and buds Ragged or skeletonised foliage Presence of red beetles, slimy larvae, or orange eggs Heavy infestations can weaken or kill lilies Quick Lily Beetle Rescue Plan 1. Manual Removal (Immediate) Inspect lilies thoroughly: tops and undersides of leaves, stems, buds Remove and destroy:Adults: Bright red, drop when disturbed – catch in a soapy water jar Larvae: Wipe off with gloves or tissue; destroy Eggs: Rub off or scrape away 2. Spray Treatment (Same Day) Organic option: Neem oil spray (add a few drops of washing-up liquid) Apply thoroughly, especially to leaf undersides Reapply every 5–7 days during the active period Chemical option: Use pyrethrum-based insecticide (e.g., Bug Clear Ultra) Spray in the evening to avoid pollinators Repeat in 7–10 days if needed 3. Aftercare Continue daily checks for at least 7–10 days Don’t remove damaged foliage unless necessary Water and feed plants (e.g., tomato feed) to encourage recovery Long-Term Prevention Inspect regularly from March onwards Remove overwintering debris around lily beds in late winter Use well-spaced planting to improve airflow and visibility Encourage natural predators (birds, frogs, beetles) Consider using biological controls (e.g., parasitic wasps, though not widely available yet) Summary Table StageControl Action Adults Hand-pick, drop into soapy water Eggs Rub off from the undersides of leaves Larvae Wipe/squash or spray with neem/pyrethrum General Regular inspection and quick response Tip: Always spray in the early morning or evening when bees are less active, and avoid spraying directly on open blooms.