How to Plant and Grow Foxtail Lilies

The foxtail lily (Eremurus robustus) is often called a bulb but is a perennial tuberous root that blooms from late spring into early summer. Commonly known as desert candle or king's spears, foxtail lily can grow between 3 to 8 feet tall (depending on the variety) with spires of densely packed bottle-brush-shaped flowers in warm shades of yellow, orange, pink, and coral that are also deer-resistant. Its strappy leaves form a rosette at the plant's base.

Foxtail lily grows best in full sunlight and well-draining sandy to loamy soil. It thrives in USDA zones 5 to 8, and the end of cool winter weather spurs the plant to bloom.

Foxtail Lilies Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing foxtail lilies:

• Grow in full sun for stronger plants.
• Water well and keep the soil somewhat moist but never soggy.
• Fertilize the growing flower spike.
• Protect the plants in frigid weather.
  

How to Plant

Plant foxtail lilies in the fall. Choose a site for your foxtail lilies that receives protection from strong winds. Make sure the site has well-draining sandy or loamy soil. Space the plants at least 2 to 3 feet apart because they dislike crowding and like room to spread.

Note that this plant needs special spacing when planted in the ground to spread its fleshy starfish-shaped roots properly where they hold food.

Planting Depth

Dig a 15-inch wide and 2- to 6-inch deep hole (deeper in colder climates and more shallow in warm zones). Add compost and an inch of coarse garden sand to the soil. Lay the roots over the sand, add 4 to 6 inches of soil, but leave the crown exposed and uncovered. This plant does not like to be disturbed, so make sure you do not need to transplant this flower.

Light

Foxtail lilies need a site in full sun. While they can grow in partial shade, the shadier the location, the less strength your lilies will have to develop strong stems to support their magnificent flowers.

Soil

Rich, well-draining sandy loam is perfect for their needs. Providing the proper soil tilth (condition) is critical for foxtail lilies, as heavy soil is the main reason these plants fail in gardens. Foxtail lilies must have soil that drains well. Soil on the sandy side is preferred to clay.

Water

Foxtail lilies have average water needs, about an inch a week, so water well during the growing season. Don't let the soil dry out or get soggy. When the first inch of soil is dry, it is time to water. Foxtail lily is drought tolerant.

Temperature and Humidity

The plants thrive in a narrow temperature range that generally makes them suitable for USDA growing zones 5-8. Cold but not frigid winters spur flowering and growth from year to year.

Fertilizer

Feed your foxtail lily liquid fertilizer or manure as the flower spike develops. Follow the product label instructions for the amount to use.

Foxtail Lilies Varieties

There are about 40 species of Eremurus. The species name aptly describes the flowering stalks of this plant, coming from the Greek words "ekemos," meaning "solitary," and "oura," meaning tall.

• 'Cleopatra': Features dark orange flower spikes and petals that have a narrow red line that looks like eyeliner
• 'E. robustus': Offers all the beauty of an heirloom variety, with pink flowers growing to 7 feet or taller
• 'Pinocchio': Boasts yellowish-orange flowers
• 'White Beauty': Showy ivory flowers with prominent yellow stamens
• 'E. himalaicus': Up to 4 feet tall; dense, pure white flower heads; 18-inch strappy leaves
• 'E. stenophyllus': Dwarf species; 24- to 36-inch primrose yellow flowers; 1-foot leaves

Pruning

Once foxtail lily's flowers have faded, prune back with clean gardening shears.

Propagating Foxtail Lilies

Propagate foxtail lilies by division or by seed. Division should be tackled infrequently (every three to four years), and seeds can be hit-or-miss and take long. You will likely not grow a duplicate of the parent. If you wish to divide the tubers in the fall to get more foxtail lilies, wait several years as colonies slowly form.

Here's how to propagate by division in the fall.

1. Gently lift established foxtail lilies as they die down in the fall. When you dig them up, the tubers may seem dry or brittle because they are dormant, so take care not to snap off any pieces while handling them.
2. Remove the soil and then cut or carefully break the plant into separate sections. Make sure every section you divide has a full crown.
3. Plant divisions in a large hole far apart, but let the crown breathe.

How to Grow Foxtail Lilies From Seed

1. Harvest seeds from foxtail lilies after they bloom, and seeds ripen in the fall.
2. Sow the seeds into trays with a compost mix for seeds.
3. Water the trays and place them into a cold frame so they get the proper cold treatment.
4. Keep the seedlings moist (but not soggy) in the cold frame for two seasons to have enough time to germinate.
5. Plant the tubers in their permanent home outdoors, and remember, you will probably not see flowering for another year after planting.
   

Overwintering

In colder zones, especially zone 5 (reaching -10 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit), you must protect your foxtail lilies in winter. Cover them with loose organic material like compost, straw, or mulch. Evergreen branches on the plant crowns are also desirable as a finishing touch. This blanket will help your tuberous roots avoid the deadly freeze-thaw cycles that might otherwise turn them mushy and kill the plant. 

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Slugs and snails are the most bothersome pests of the foxtail lily, especially young springtime lilies. Slug and snail control will likely be necessary.

If foxtail lilies are not planted in well-draining soil or are overwatered, they could develop root rot. This is one reason why it's a good idea to lay the roots on a bed of sand when planting.

How to Get Foxtail Lilies to Bloom

How Long Do Foxtail Lilies Bloom?

Each spike can stay abloom for three weeks to a month during the late spring and into June or July.

What Do Foxtail Lily's Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Each tall spike has hundreds of tightly packed tiny 2/4 to 1-inch buds that blossom into delicate but brightly colored pink, yellow, orange, or brown starlike flowers. This plant's flowering plume uniquely blooms from the bottom up. Flowers have a sweet fragrance that attracts pollinators.

How to Encourage More Blooms

The best way to encourage more blooms is to keep the soil well-drained and fertilize annually. Allow the plant cold (but not frozen) dormancy, which will reward you in the spring and summer.

Caring for a Foxtail Lily After It Blooms

After a foxtail lily blooms, you can leave it to self-seed or dry out so you can harvest seeds. Or, after it blooms, you can cut the spike down, but do not dig up the plant. If you wish, you can remove the spent flower heads, but they look showy when left in place.

Common Problems with Foxtail Lilies

Foxtail lilies are easy to grow as long as it has well-draining soil. They cannot tolerate soggy soil and will die in those conditions.

Flowering Stalks Breaking

Since it is a tall plant, it's best to choose a site to plant the flowers where it will receive protection from strong winds. A spring storm could snap the stalks in half. Consider staking plants in areas with high winds or even very strong breezes where they are not protected.