Do Lilies Make Seeds? - Plant Care Guide

Yes, lilies absolutely make seeds, just like most other flowering plants. While many gardeners commonly propagate lilies through their bulbs or bulbils, lily seed production is a natural and vital part of their reproductive cycle. These seeds develop within a seed pod after successful pollination and, under the right conditions, can germinate and grow into new lily plants, though this process is typically much slower than vegetative propagation.

How Do Lilies Reproduce?

Lilies (genus Lilium) are fascinating plants with several distinct methods of reproduction. Understanding these different strategies helps explain the role of lily seeds in their life cycle.

Lilies reproduce through both sexual and asexual (vegetative) means:

1. Sexual Reproduction (Via Seeds)

• Flowers and Pollination: Like most flowering plants, lilies produce flowers that contain both male (stamens with pollen) and female (pistil with stigma, style, and ovary) reproductive organs.
• Pollination: When pollen is transferred from the anther (male part) to the stigma (female part), often by insects, wind, or human intervention (hand-pollination), fertilization can occur.
• Seed Pod Development: After successful fertilization, the ovary at the base of the flower swells and develops into a lily seed pod, which eventually dries and splits open to release its seeds.
• Genetic Variation: Reproduction through lily seeds results in new plants that are genetically unique combinations of their parent plants. This is crucial for natural selection and the development of new lily varieties (hybridization).

2. Asexual/Vegetative Reproduction

• Bulbs: This is the most common and fastest method for gardeners. The underground lily bulb is a storage organ that contains all the genetic material of the parent plant. It can split and grow "offsets" or "daughter bulbs" that are genetically identical clones.
• Bulbils: Some lily varieties produce small, aerial bulblets called bulbils in the leaf axils along the stem. These tiny clones can be harvested and planted to grow new, genetically identical plants.
• Bulblets: Similar to bulbils, these are small bulblets that form underground along the stem or at the base of scales from the main bulb.
• Scale Propagation: Individual scales can be carefully removed from a lily bulb and planted. Each scale can develop into a new small bulblet, producing a clone of the parent plant.

While vegetative methods are faster for producing more of the exact same lily, lily seed production is essential for genetic diversity and the evolution of new traits.

How Do Lily Seed Pods Form?

The formation of lily seed pods is a beautiful example of plant reproductive biology in action, following a successful interaction between flower and pollinator.

Steps in lily seed pod formation:

1. Flowering: The lily plant produces its characteristic vibrant blooms, which are designed to attract pollinators.
2. Pollination: Pollen, which contains the male genetic material, is transferred from the anthers to the receptive stigma. This can happen through:
   • Natural Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, moths, and sometimes hummingbirds are common lily pollinators.
   • Wind: Some lilies can be wind-pollinated, though this is less efficient.
   • Hand Pollination: Gardeners and hybridizers often manually transfer pollen with a small brush or cotton swab to control crosses and ensure fertilization.
3. Fertilization: Once on the stigma, pollen grains germinate, sending down a pollen tube through the style to the ovary. Within the ovary, the male gametes (from the pollen) fuse with the ovules (containing the female genetic material), leading to fertilization.
4. Ovary Swelling: After successful fertilization, the flower begins to senesce (wilt and fade), and the ovary at its base starts to swell. This swelling indicates the development of seeds inside.
5. Seed Pod Development: The swollen ovary matures into a distinct lily seed pod. This pod will be green and fleshy initially, gradually turning brown and drying out as the seeds inside ripen. It typically has three distinct chambers or valves.
6. Seed Ripening: Inside the pod, the ovules develop into mature lily seeds. This process can take several weeks to a few months, depending on the lily species and environmental conditions.
7. Dehiscence: Once the seeds are fully ripe, the dried seed pod will naturally split open along its seams (dehiscence), releasing the mature seeds.

The presence of a developing lily seed pod is a clear sign that a particular flower has been successfully pollinated and fertilized, leading to the creation of genetic offspring.

What Do Lily Seeds Look Like?

Lily seeds have a distinctive appearance that can vary slightly depending on the species, but they share common characteristics. They are not the round, plump seeds you might expect from a pea or bean.

General characteristics of lily seeds:

• Shape: Most lily seeds are flat, thin, and winged or disc-shaped. This flat, papery structure aids in wind dispersal in the wild.
• Color: They typically range from pale tan or beige to various shades of brown or reddish-brown when mature and dry.
• Size: They are relatively small, often just a few millimeters across, including their papery "wing."
• Texture: They have a papery or slightly leathery texture.
• Placement in pod: Inside the three-valved seed pod, they are usually stacked or arranged somewhat like small shingles, maximizing the number that can fit into the pod.

Examples of Lily Seed Pods and Seeds:

• Asiatic Lilies: Tend to produce relatively abundant, flat, winged, brown seeds.
• Oriental Lilies: Similar flat, winged seeds, but sometimes slightly larger or with a more pronounced wing.
• Trumpet Lilies: Can have large, robust seed pods yielding many flat, brown, winged seeds.

When collecting lily seeds, you'll be looking for these thin, flat, papery structures within the dried, opened seed pod. Their unique shape is a clear adaptation for natural dispersal.

Why Do Gardeners Often Remove Lily Seed Pods?

While lilies naturally make seeds, many gardeners choose to remove lily seed pods rather than allowing them to mature. This practice is commonly known as deadheading, and it's done for several beneficial reasons related to plant vigor and aesthetic appeal.

Reasons for removing lily seed pods (deadheading):

1. Diverting Energy to the Bulb: This is the primary reason. Producing seeds is an energy-intensive process for any plant. If a lily expends its energy on forming and ripening seeds, it will have less energy to store in its underground bulb for the following season. By removing the fading flowers and nascent seed pods, you direct the plant's energy reserves back into the bulb, leading to:

   • Stronger and larger bulbs: A healthier bulb produces more vigorous growth and more flowers in subsequent years.
   • Increased flowering: Better bulb health can result in more flower stalks and blooms next season.
   • Improved hardiness: A stronger bulb is often more resilient to winter conditions.

2. Preventing Unwanted Seedlings: Unless you are intentionally hybridizing or experimenting, you might not want random lily seedlings popping up in your garden. These seedlings often:

   • Don't come true to type: Hybrid lilies (the vast majority of garden varieties) will not produce offspring identical to the parent plant from seed. You'll get a genetically mixed "mutt" that might be less desirable.
   • Take years to flower: Lily seedlings can take 3-7 years (or more) to reach flowering size, tying up garden space.

3. Aesthetic Appeal:

   • Fading flowers and developing seed pods can look messy and detract from the garden's overall appearance. Removing them keeps the plant looking tidy.

4. Disease Prevention:

   • Spent flower parts can sometimes become a breeding ground for fungal diseases, especially in humid conditions. Removing them can improve air circulation and reduce disease risk.

When deadheading: Pinch or cut off the spent flower just below the ovary (where the seed pod would form). Do not cut back the entire stem until it naturally yellows and dies back in the fall, as the stem leaves are still photosynthesizing and feeding the bulb.

So, while lilies make seeds, removing their pods is a conscious choice by gardeners to prioritize bulb health and next season's floral display over genetic reproduction.

How to Collect and Store Lily Seeds

For those interested in the exciting process of hybridization or simply wanting to experiment with growing lilies from seed, collecting and storing lily seeds correctly is crucial for successful germination.

Step-by-Step Guide to Collecting Lily Seeds:

1. Monitor Seed Pods: After a lily flower has faded and you've identified a developing seed pod, watch it carefully. It will start green and slowly swell.
2. Allow to Ripen: Let the seed pod remain on the plant until it is fully mature. This is indicated by:
   • Color Change: The pod will turn from green to brown, yellow-brown, or dark brown.
   • Texture: It will become dry and brittle to the touch.
   • Splitting: The pod will often begin to naturally split open along its three seams. This is the ideal time to harvest.
3. Harvesting: Carefully snip off the entire dried seed pod from the stem.
4. Extract Seeds: Gently open the dry pod and carefully tip out the flat, papery lily seeds into a clean, dry container.
5. Clean and Dry:
   • Remove any bits of chaff (dried pod material).
   • Spread the seeds out in a single layer on a paper towel or screen in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for another week or two. This ensures they are thoroughly dry. Proper drying is vital to prevent mold during storage.

Storing Lily Seeds:

1. Labeling: This is critical! Label a small paper envelope or airtight container with:
   • Lily species/hybrid name (e.g., 'Asiatic Lily 'Orange Pixie')
   • Date of collection
   • Parentage (if you know it, e.g., 'mother x father' for hybridizers)
2. Container: Store the thoroughly dried seeds in:
   • Paper envelopes: Good for short-term storage, as they allow a little airflow.
   • Airtight containers: A small zip-top bag or a sealed glass jar (perhaps with a desiccant packet) is ideal for longer-term storage.
3. Location: Store seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place.
   • Refrigerator: The best place for long-term storage is usually the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, where temperatures are cool and consistent.
   • Avoid: Heat, direct sunlight, and excessive humidity will significantly reduce seed viability.

Following these steps ensures your lily seeds remain viable for successful germination when you're ready to plant them.

The Journey from Lily Seed to Bloom: Patience Required

The journey from a tiny lily seed to a blooming flower is a testament to nature's resilience, but it requires significant patience. Unlike planting bulbs, which typically flower in their first season, growing lilies from seed is a multi-year endeavor.

The Stages of Lily Seed Germination and Growth:

1. Germination (Type Dependent):

   • Epigeal germination: The first shoot and leaves emerge above ground quickly (e.g., some Asiatic species).
   • Hypogeal germination: The first bulblet forms underground first, and then leaves emerge later (e.g., many Oriental and Trumpet lilies). This can take several months.
   • Cold Stratification: Many lily seeds require a period of cold stratification (mimicking winter) to break dormancy and germinate. Some might even need a warm period followed by a cold period. This means planting in fall for spring germination, or simulating conditions in a refrigerator.

2. First Year: Tiny Bulblet and Leaf

   • Even after germination, growth is slow. You'll likely see a single, grass-like leaf (or just a small bulblet forming underground if hypogeal). The plant is focusing its energy on developing a tiny, nascent bulb.
   • They are incredibly small and vulnerable at this stage.

3. Second and Third Year: Developing Bulb and More Leaves

   • The tiny bulblet slowly grows, and the plant will produce more leaves each year. The foliage will still be much smaller and less robust than a mature lily.
   • The plant is steadily putting energy into increasing the size of its bulb, which is the key to future flowering.

4. Fourth to Seventh Year (or longer): Flowering Size

   • It typically takes 3 to 7 years (sometimes up to 10) for a lily grown from seed to develop a bulb large enough and mature enough to produce its first flower. This timeframe varies greatly depending on the species, growing conditions, and individual plant vigor.
   • The first flower might be smaller or less impressive than what the mature plant will eventually produce.

Factors Influencing Speed:

• Lily Species/Hybrid: Some species are naturally faster growers than others.
• Growing Conditions: Ideal light, consistent moisture, good soil, and adequate nutrients will accelerate growth.
• Climate: A long, warm growing season helps.
• Cold Stratification: Providing the correct cold stratification period is essential for timely germination.

While the wait is long, successfully coaxing a lily from a tiny seed to its first glorious bloom is an incredibly rewarding experience, offering unique plants that are genetically distinct and a true testament to horticultural patience.

Why Hybrid Lilies Rarely Come True from Seed

One of the most important things to understand when considering lily seed production is that hybrid lilies rarely "come true from seed." This means if you plant seeds from a named hybrid (e.g., 'Stargazer' Oriental Lily or 'Tango' Asiatic Lily), you will almost certainly not get another 'Stargazer' or 'Tango' lily.

What is a Hybrid?

• Cross-bred: The vast majority of commercially available lilies are hybrids. They are the result of cross-pollinating two different parent lilies (different species or different cultivars) to combine desirable traits.
• Complex genetics: Hybrid plants have a complex genetic makeup derived from multiple parents.

The Principle of Genetic Recombination:

• Like humans: Think of it like human genetics. When two parents have children, the children inherit a mix of genes from both parents. Each child is unique and doesn't look exactly like either parent (unless they're identical twins, which is rare in plants from seed).
• Unpredictable traits: Similarly, when a hybrid lily produces seeds through sexual reproduction, the genes from its complex parentage are recombined in new and often unpredictable ways.
• Recessive/Dominant genes: Traits that were hidden (recessive) in the hybrid parent might appear in the offspring, or new combinations of dominant genes could emerge.

What You Might Get from Hybrid Lily Seeds:

• Variability: You'll get a mixed bag of traits. Some seedlings might resemble one of the grandparents, others might be completely novel, and many might be less vigorous or attractive than the parent hybrid.
• Loss of variegation: If the parent lily has specific variegation (like stripes or contrasting edges), these patterns are very unlikely to be replicated in the seedlings. You'll often end up with plain green leaves.
• Different colors, shapes, sizes: The offspring could have different flower colors, shapes, sizes, or growth habits than the hybrid parent.

Implications for Gardeners:

• Propagation for true-to-type: If you want more 'Stargazer' lilies, you must propagate them vegetatively (by dividing bulbs, growing from bulbils/bulblets, or scale propagation). These methods produce clones.
• For hybridizers: This genetic variability is precisely why hybridizers collect and plant lily seeds. They are hoping to find that one-in-a-thousand seedling that displays a unique and desirable combination of traits, which can then be named as a new cultivar and propagated vegetatively.

So, while lilies make seeds, and you can definitely plant them, expect a delightful surprise rather than a faithful reproduction of your favorite garden hybrid.

Natural Dispersal of Lily Seeds in the Wild

In their native habitats, lily seed production is vital for the survival and spread of different Lilium species. Without human intervention, nature has its own efficient methods for ensuring these seeds find new ground to grow.

1. Wind Dispersal

• Winged seeds: The flat, papery, and often winged structure of many lily seeds is a clear adaptation for wind dispersal.
• Open pods: When the mature seed pods dry and split open on tall stems, the wind can easily catch the lightweight seeds and carry them away from the parent plant.
• Colonizing new areas: This allows lilies to colonize new, suitable habitats, preventing overcrowding around the parent plant and reducing competition.

2. Water Dispersal (less common, but possible)

• Streams and rivers: If lily plants grow near streams, rivers, or in areas prone to seasonal flooding, seeds that fall into the water can be carried downstream to new locations where they might wash ashore and germinate.

3. Gravity

• Localized spread: Seeds that simply fall to the ground near the parent plant can germinate there, leading to a cluster of seedlings around the mature lily. Over time, this contributes to the natural clumping characteristic of many lily species.

4. Animal Dispersal (less significant for true lilies)

• While some plants rely on animals to eat their fruits and disperse seeds through their droppings (e.g., berries), lily seed pods are not typically a primary food source for many animals. Birds might occasionally pick at dried pods, but their role in wide dispersal is usually minor compared to wind.

Adaptations for Survival:

• Delayed germination: Some lily seeds have complex dormancy requirements (e.g., needing specific temperature cycles), ensuring they only germinate when conditions are ideal, increasing their chances of survival.
• Seed bank: Seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years, forming a "seed bank" that allows for germination over an extended period, even after environmental disturbances.

These natural dispersal mechanisms are crucial for maintaining wild lily populations, enabling them to adapt to changing environments, recover from natural events, and continue their life cycle without human help.

Considerations for Growing Lilies from Seed

Deciding to grow lilies from seed is an exciting venture, but it comes with several considerations that gardeners should be aware of before embarking on this journey. It's a different experience than planting bulbs.

1. Time and Patience

• Multi-year commitment: As discussed, lilies from seed take a minimum of 3-7 years to flower. This requires significant patience and dedication.
• Slow initial growth: Don't be discouraged by the slow growth in the first few seasons; this is normal as the plant focuses on bulb development.

2. Genetic Variability

• Expect surprises: If you're collecting seeds from garden hybrids, expect the offspring to be unique and varied. This can be a delightful surprise or a disappointment if you were expecting a clone.
• Opportunity for new varieties: For those interested in plant breeding, this variability is the main draw, as it offers the chance to discover a truly unique lily.

3. Germination Requirements

• Complexity: Lily seeds can have complex germination requirements, often needing specific temperature treatments (cold stratification, or sometimes warm then cold periods) to break dormancy. Research the specific needs of the lily species you are growing.
• Pre-treatment: You might need to perform cold stratification (e.g., mixing seeds with moist sand in a bag and refrigerating for 8-12 weeks) before planting.

4. Seedling Care

• Vulnerability: Lily seedlings are tiny and fragile. They need consistent moisture, protection from extreme temperatures, pests, and competition from weeds.
• Protection: Growing them in pots in a protected environment (like a cold frame or greenhouse) for the first year or two is often beneficial before transplanting them to the garden.

5. Space Requirements

• Temporary space: You'll need space to grow the seedlings to a size where they can be transplanted, and then space in the garden for the multi-year wait until they flower.

6. Availability of Seeds

• Commercial seed rare: You rarely find named hybrid lily seeds for sale commercially because they don't come true to type.
• Specialty suppliers: Seeds from specific lily species (true-to-type) or from specialized hybridizers (mixed results) can be found through online seed banks or lily societies.
• Self-collection: Collecting seeds from your own lilies is the most common way for hobbyists to get them.

Despite these considerations, the experience of nurturing a lily from a tiny seed through its long journey to blooming maturity is deeply rewarding and offers a unique perspective on the life cycle of these magnificent flowers. It's a true gardener's challenge and delight.