← Plant Guides

How to Grow Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment'

Wikimedia Commons

Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment'

Lilium × asiatic 'Enchantment'

flower

'Enchantment' is a classic Asiatic hybrid lily known for its vibrant orange-red, upward-facing blooms that appear in mid-summer. This reliable, hardy perennial reaches 3-4 feet tall and produces multiple flowers per stem, making it an excellent choice for cut flowers and garden displays. The unscented flowers bloom in profusion and the plant naturalizes well in landscapes.

When should you plant Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' timeline →

Example Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' blooms

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates
💧
Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water at soil level to avoid wetting foliage. Reduce watering after flowering. Excellent drainage is essential to prevent bulb rot.
📏
Spacing: 8 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-120 days from planting to first bloom
🌱
Planting depth: Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep (measured from base to top of bulb) in fall or early spring

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Peat moss or compost for organic matter Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Bone meal at planting for phosphorus

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-8; excellent cold hardiness and reliable performer across northern and central regions

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

Sign up free to see if Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Emergence & Early Growth

3-4 weeks

Shoots emerge from soil, developing 2-3 pairs of narrow leaves. Growth is relatively rapid.

Ensure soil is moist but well-draining. Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) when shoots are 3-4 inches tall. Mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Plant rapidly elongates, developing numerous lance-shaped leaves along the stem. Visible flower buds begin to form at the stem apex.

Continue regular watering. Support tall stems with stakes if needed, especially in windy areas. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. Watch for pests.

3

Budding & Pre-flowering

1-2 weeks

Flower buds cluster at the top of the stem, swelling and preparing to open. Buds transition from green to reddish-orange.

Maintain consistent moisture without overwatering. Switch to high-phosphorus fertilizer (5-10-10) to support flower development. Ensure adequate air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

4

Flowering

3-4 weeks

Flowers open in succession, displaying upward-facing, 4-5 inch orange-red blooms. Each stem typically produces 8-12 flowers over several weeks.

Remove spent flowers (deadhead) to encourage continued blooming. Water at base to avoid wetting petals. Stake stems if needed for support under the weight of flowers. Enjoy cut flowers indoors.

5

Post-flowering & Dormancy

6-8 weeks, then dormancy

Flowers fade and wither. Foliage remains green and photosynthesizes. Plant gradually slows growth as energy is returned to the bulb.

Do NOT cut back foliage until it yellows naturally (6-8 weeks post-bloom). Continue light watering. Reduce fertilizing. Allow bulb to harden off. Apply mulch before winter in cold zones.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Coreopsis Salvia Catmint (Nepeta) Russian Sage (Perovskia) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) Daylilies Lavender Ornamental grasses

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Walnut trees (black walnut toxicity)

Common Pests

  • Hand-pick adults and larvae; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly starting in spring; remove plant debris in fall

  • Spray with water to dislodge; apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil; encourage beneficial insects

  • Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove affected leaves; apply fungicide if severe

  • Increase humidity; spray with water; apply miticide if populations are high

  • and

    Remove debris; use copper barriers; hand-pick at night; apply slug baits if needed

Uses

🍳

Edible flowers

Culinary

Lily petals can be used as an ornamental garnish for salads and desserts. They have a slightly sweet, delicate flavor and add visual appeal to culinary presentations. [source]

🏠

Cut flower arrangements

Household

'Enchantment' is an excellent cut flower with long vase life and vibrant color that adds drama to floral arrangements. The upward-facing blooms are perfect for formal and contemporary designs. [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The bright orange blooms and accessible flower structure attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting pollinator populations in the garden. [source]

💊

Traditional herbal use

Medicinal

In traditional Asian medicine, lilies have been valued for their purported calming and soothing properties, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

🎨

Ornamental gardening

Craft

'Enchantment' is a classic perennial for mixed borders, cottage gardens, and formal landscape designs where its bold color and reliable performance make it a foundational plant. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut stems for arrangements when the first flower is just opening or in bud stage. Cut stems in early morning, using a sharp knife and cutting at least 1/3 of the stem length to leave foliage for bulb recovery. Strip lower leaves below the waterline. Change water every 2-3 days and recut stems. Flowers last 7-10 days indoors. For perennial garden longevity, deadhead spent flowers but allow some stems to remain for seed dispersal and bulb replenishment. Do NOT cut back foliage until it naturally yellows.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 'Enchantment' was introduced in 1945 and remains one of the most popular and widely grown Asiatic hybrid lilies, a testament to its robust garden performance and stunning visual appeal.
  • 🌱 Unlike Oriental lilies, Asiatic hybrids like 'Enchantment' are unscented, making them ideal for those sensitive to strong flower fragrances or for indoor arrangements where fragrance is not desired.
  • 🌱 Lily bulbs produce contractile roots that pull the bulb deeper into the soil over multiple growing seasons, a fascinating adaptation for achieving optimal planting depth.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch Perennial pH
Shop Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Asiatic Hybrid Lily 'Enchantment' timeline →