8 Beautiful Plants That Can Pass as Lilies in Your Garden

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Robby

Whatever lily you’re hunting for, Eden Brothers has you covered. With 26 varieties of spring- or fall-planted lilies to choose from, there’s bound to be a variety to meet your needs. Invite pollinators into your garden with these fragrant blooms, and your neighbors will likely notice these colorful additions to your garden too. If you’re a bit overwhelmed by all the options, check out Eden Brothers’ 60 Days of Lilies for the perfect blend of bulbs. For such an elegant flower, lilies are one of the more low-maintenance plants to cultivate.

Lilies are one of the most beloved flowers for gardens with their elegant trumpet-shaped blooms and stunning range of colors. However, not all gardening zones can support growing true lilies. The good news is there are several beautiful plants that make excellent lily stand-ins.

In this article we’ll explore 8 gorgeous plants that can pass as lilies in your garden. Keep reading to learn more about these lovely lily lookalikes!

1. Daylilies

Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are a classic perennial that closely resembles lilies. They produce an abundance of blooms in shades of yellow, orange, red and pink. The flowers have the same trumpet shape as many lilies.

Daylilies thrive in zones 3-9 and are low maintenance They emerge in spring and flower through summer For nonstop color, choose early, mid and late season bloomers. Plant in full sun or partial shade. Dividing the clumps every few years keeps daylilies blooming strong.

2. Peruvian Lily

Also called alstroemeria, Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria spp.) looks very similar to Asiatic and Oriental lilies. Its blossoms come in many colors like white, pink, red, orange, purple and yellow.

Peruvian lily is available as cut flowers but also grows wonderfully in zones 7-10. Plant in well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. It blooms spring through fall. Remove spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

3. Gladiolus

The eye-catching spikes of gladiolus bear flowers that resemble lilies. Gladiolus come in every shade imaginable, with ruffled, rounded petals. They thrive in zones 7-10 as summer bulbs.

Plant the corms in spring once the soil warms up. Set them 6 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart in full sun. Stake the 2 to 5 foot stems once they emerge. Dig up the corms in fall and store them over winter in a cool, dry spot.

4. Lily-Flowered Tulips

Certain tulips have flowers that look just like lilies, with their bowl-shaped, recurved petals. Lily-flowered tulip varieties include ‘Ballade’, ‘White Triumphator’ and ‘West Point’.

The color range includes white, pink, red, burgundy, peach and bi-colors. Plant the bulbs in fall in zones 3-8. Place them 4-6 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Remove spent blooms but leave the foliage until it dies back naturally.

5. Crocosmia

Also called montbretia, crocosmia (Crocosmia spp.) produces arching spikes covered with funnel-shaped blossoms resembling lilies. Flower colors include orange, red, yellow and bi-colors.

Crocosmia thrives in zones 6-9 planted in full sun to partial shade. It blooms summer into fall and makes a great cut flower. Plant the corms 3 inches deep and 6 inches apart in spring once the soil warms up.

6. Rain Lily

A member of the amaryllis family, rain lily (Zephyranthes spp.) flowers look nearly identical to lilies. These dainty, lily-like blooms appear on slender stalks, often just after a good rain shower.

Colors range from white and pink to yellow and peach. Rain lilies thrive in zones 7-10, blooming in summer into fall. Plant the small bulbs 2-3 inches deep and 4 inches apart in a sunny spot.

7. Dog’s Tooth Violet

Despite its name, dog’s tooth violet (Erythronium spp.) resembles a lily more than a violet. The flowers feature recurved petals in shades of pink, white, yellow and bi-colors rising above mottled foliage.

Dog tooth violet grows well in zones 3-9, blooming in spring before the leaves fully emerge. Plant the small bulbs 3 inches deep and 4 inches apart in partial to full shade.

8. Calla Lily

Calla lily (Zantedeschia spp.) is often mistaken as a true lily. Its large, funnel-shaped blooms and spear-like foliage resemble arum lilies.

Calla lilies come in white, pink, yellow, purple and bi-colors. They thrive as perennials in zones 8-10 but can be grown as annuals in cooler areas. Plant the rhizomes in spring with the tops just above soil level. Give calla lilies partial shade to full sun and consistent moisture.

With so many gorgeous plants that resemble lilies, you can still achieve the elegant lily look you love even if true lilies don’t thrive in your zone. Mix and match these lily lookalikes to create stunning garden displays. Let their graceful flowers and vivid colors shine in borders, beds, containers and cut flower arrangements.

plants that look like lilies

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Whatever lily you’re hunting for, Eden Brothers has you covered. With 26 varieties of spring- or fall-planted lilies to choose from, there’s bound to be a variety to meet your needs. Invite pollinators into your garden with these fragrant blooms, and your neighbors will likely notice these colorful additions to your garden too. If you’re a bit overwhelmed by all the options, check out Eden Brothers’ 60 Days of Lilies for the perfect blend of bulbs. For such an elegant flower, lilies are one of the more low-maintenance plants to cultivate.

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[Must Know] 5 Plants That Look Like Peace Lily

FAQ

What plants are similar to lilies?

Lily-Like Plants
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What is the plant that looks like a lily?

    • Flower.Style Magazine
      https://www.flower.style
      ALSTROEMERIA – Flowers We Love – Flower.Style Magazine
      Alstroemeria is often mistaken for miniature lilies; its trumpet-shaped blossoms each have three true petals and three matching sepals, giving the appearance of…

    • YouTube  ·  Gardening Dream
      https://www.youtube.com
      9 Amazing Plants That Look Like Peace Lily – YouTube
      Jan 24, 2023 — two Dina this plant’s greenish gray leaves are vaguely shaped like lily pads. and the white or yellowish flower clusters can be seen in the center.

    • Emerald Coast Magazine
      https://www.emeraldcoastmagazine.com
      Lilies and Lookalikes – Emerald Coast Magazine
      Jul 27, 2015 — The Formosa or Philippine lily, Lilium formosanum, is a cousin that looks similar to the Easter lily, but it’s larger. … As their name implies, th…

    • YouTube  ·  Summer Rayne Oakes
      https://www.youtube.com
      Ultimate SPATHIPHYLLUM (Peace Lily) CARE Guide — Ep 205
      Dec 3, 2020 — today we’re going to talk about the care of one of the more common house plants we encounter the spathophym. this video is brought to you by Squaresp…

    • YouTube  ·  RHS – Royal Horticultural Society
      https://m.youtube.com
      How to care for your Peace Lily | Grow at Home | RHS
      Dec 31, 2019 — in this video I’m going to be talking you through one of my all-time. favorite houseplants the spotter filum. also known as a peace lily. it’s easy …

    • gardenia.net
      https://www.gardenia.net
      Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Magnificent Calla Lilies
      Potted calla lilies can last several weeks to a few months if grown in suitable conditions such as well-draining soil, adequate sunlight, and regular watering.

    • Bloomscape
      https://bloomscape.com
      Calla Lily 101: How to Care for Calla Lillies | Bloomscape
      Calla Lily * LIGHT. … * Water when 50% of the soil volume is dry. … * This plant does best with added humidity. … * Your Calla Lily prefers temperatures …

What flower looks like a lily but isn t?

  • Alstroemeria:

    Often mistaken for miniature lilies, they have trumpet-shaped blossoms that appear six-petaled due to matching sets of true petals and sepals, according to Flower.Style Magazine. 

  • Calla lilies:

    While they have a similar trumpet shape to some lilies, they belong to the Araceae family and have a distinctive white, yellow, or colored “spatha” that surrounds the actual flower. 

  • Daylilies:

    These are not true lilies but belong to the Hemerocallis genus within the same family as true lilies (Liliaceae). They are characterized by shorter flower stalks and grass-like foliage. 

  • These are not true lilies either, but are closely related to the lily family and share some similarities in appearance. 

  • These are also called Spider Lilies and are sometimes confused with true lilies, according to a Reddit thread. 

  • Also known as an Autumn Spider Lily, this flower is similar to Nerine Lillies, but with some key differences like taller flower stalks and thicker petals. 

How do you take care of a calla lily?

  • Temperature: Calla lilies prefer temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C). 

  • Pests and Diseases: Monitor for pests like aphids and mites, and diseases like root rot. Treat promptly if necessary. 

  • Pruning: Remove faded blooms and dead or yellowing leaves to encourage new growth, says Gardeners’ World. 

  • Repotting: Repot annually in the spring, or when the plant becomes root-bound. 

  • Toxicity: Calla lilies are toxic to humans and pets. Keep them out of reach of children and animals. 

What flowers look like lilies?

Daylilies come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, and red. They are also known for their fragrant blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Other plants with lily-like flowers include the amaryllis and the Clivia plant. Both of these plants have large, showy blooms that resemble those of lilies.

What plants have lily-like flowers?

Other plants with lily-like flowers include the amaryllis and the Clivia plant. Both of these plants have large, showy blooms that resemble those of lilies. Amaryllis flowers come in a range of colors, including red, pink, and white. Clivia flowers are typically orange or yellow. Both plants have long, sturdy stems that hold up their blooms.

What lilies have pink flowers?

Among these lilylike plants is the belladonna lily ( Amaryllis belladonna ), also known as the naked lady lily and resurrection lily. The pink trumpet-shaped flowers are similar to the white flowers of the well-known Easter lily ( Lilium longiflorum ).

What do lilies look like?

Clivia flowers are typically orange or yellow. Both plants have long, sturdy stems that hold up their blooms. The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) and Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) are two plants that have foliage that resembles that of lilies. Peace Lily leaves are large and glossy, while Lily of the Valley leaves are small and delicate.

Which lilies are similar to true lily?

Pseudo-lilies, such as the calla lily, peace lily, and Peruvian lily, also have some similarities to true lilies. However, they also have unique characteristics that set them apart. For example, the calla lily has a distinctive funnel-shaped flower and glossy, arrow-shaped foliage.

What are the different types of lilies?

Some popular lily look-alikes include amaryllis, daylilies, calla lilies, tiger lilies, and oriental lilies. These flowers come in a variety of colors and forms, with patterns and spots on their foliage and blooms. Calla lilies are a popular lily look-alike, with their tall, slender stems and trumpet-shaped blooms.

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