Are Lily Plants Perennials? 6 Best Picks Compared for 2026

By Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

Are lily plants perennials? For the most part, yes. True lilies in the genus Lilium are herbaceous perennials that die back to the ground in winter and regrow from underground bulbs each spring. Gardeners who want flowers that come back year after year need to know which lily types are hardy, how they are sold (bulbs versus seed), and which ones handle their climate. The picks below were chosen by comparing product type, stated specifications, brand reputation and the patterns owners commonly report about bloom performance and winter survival. None of these were grown or tested by us; the notes reflect manufacturer information and general horticultural guidance.

Our Top Picks

Before the comparison, a note on terminology. Several plants sold under the word “lily” are not true lilies and are not all perennials in the same way. Daylilies (Hemerocallis) are perennial but unrelated to true lilies. Calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are tender perennials that die in freezing weather. Gladiolus, often called sword lily, grows from corms and is usually treated as a half-hardy perennial that many gardeners lift in fall. Toad lilies (Tricyrtis) are hardy woodland perennials. The list is ordered by how well each product fits a typical goal: reliable return bloom in a garden bed.

Quick Comparison

Forever Susan Lily Bulbs for Planting (2 Pack)

Forever Susan Lily Bulbs for Planting – Perennial Long Blooming Lily for Garden Beds, Borders, and Containers | Fast Growing – Low Maninatnace & Easy to Grow (2 Pack)

View on Amazon

Best for: Gardeners who want a true perennial lily that returns each year with little fuss.

This is the option we would point most gardeners toward first. The listing describes a long-blooming, fast-growing perennial lily suited to beds, borders and containers, and the bulbs are sized for direct planting rather than starting from seed. It suits beginners and anyone planting in full sun to part sun.

Key specs

• Sold as a 2-pack of lily bulbs
• Perennial, grown from bulbs that persist underground
• Suitable for beds, borders and containers

Pros

• Bulb form gives faster flowering than seed
• Works in ground or pots
• Described as low maintenance

Cons

• Only two bulbs, so a small display unless you buy more
• Bloom timing depends on your local climate and planting date

Bottom line: A strong first choice for anyone who wants reliable, return-bloom lilies with minimal effort.

View on Amazon

Blacklist Asiatic Lily Bulbs for Planting (3 Bulbs)

Blacklist Asiatic Lily Bulbs for Planting – Deep Burgundy Nearly Black Lily Flowers – Dramatic Summer Blooms – Perennial Garden Flower Bulbs, 3 Bulbs

View on Amazon

Best for: Gardeners who want dramatic, dark-colored summer blooms.

Asiatic lilies are among the hardiest true lily groups and are commonly grown in USDA zones roughly 3 through 9. This listing is for a dark burgundy, nearly black variety, which appeals to gardeners building a moody or contrast-heavy border.

Key specs

• Pack of 3 bulbs
• Asiatic lily type, a true Lilium
• Deep burgundy, nearly black flowers

Pros

• Distinctive color that stands out in mixed beds
• Asiatic types are generally cold-hardy
• Bulbs can be left in the ground to return

Cons

• Dark colors can look muddy in low light
• Only three bulbs, so you need several packs for a mass planting

Bottom line: Best for gardeners who already have a plan for a bold color accent and want a true perennial lily to anchor it.

View on Amazon

10 Gladiolus Bulbs, Mixed Colors

10 Gladiolus Bulbs, Mixed Colors – Sword Lily, Easy to Grow Perennial Garden or Container Flowers

View on Amazon

Best for: Cutting gardens and summer color in beds or containers.

Gladiolus is often sold as sword lily, but it is not a true lily. It grows from corms and produces tall flower spikes. In colder zones it is usually treated as a half-hardy perennial: many gardeners dig and store the corms over winter.

Key specs

• 10 bulbs (corms) per pack
• Mixed colors
• Typically planted in spring after the last frost

Pros

• Tall spikes make good cut flowers
• Mixed colors add variety in one purchase
• Works in beds or large containers

Cons

• Not hardy in many northern zones without lifting
• Tall stems often need staking

Bottom line: A good fit for gardeners who want summer cut flowers and are willing to lift corms in colder areas.

View on Amazon

30+ Perennial Tricyrtis Wonder Toad Lily Seeds

30+Perennial Tricyrtis Wonder Toad Lily Flower Seeds to Plant Outdoor-Hardy Lily Bare Root Plant Garden Home Non-GMO Heirloom

View on Amazon

Best for: Shaded woodland edges and late-season interest.

Toad lilies are hardy perennials native to parts of Asia, valued for spotted, orchid-like blooms that open in late summer and fall. They tolerate shade better than most true lilies, which makes them useful under trees or on north-facing beds.

Key specs

• 30+ seeds per packet
• Perennial, hardy woodland type
• Non-GMO, heirloom listing

Pros

• Tolerates partial to full shade
• Blooms when many other perennials have finished
• Hardy in many cold climates

Cons

• Seed-grown plants take one to two seasons to bloom
• Germination can be uneven

Bottom line: The right choice for shaded gardens that need a perennial with unusual late-summer flowers.

View on Amazon

100Pcs Perennial Daylily Hemerocallis Seeds

100Pcs Perennial Daylily Hemerocallis Seeds for Planting-Mixed Color Day Lily Fine Flower Seeds Heirloom

View on Amazon

Best for: Large-quantity planting on a tight budget, for gardeners willing to wait.

Daylilies are perennials, but they are not true lilies. The name comes from the fact that individual blooms last about a day. Growing from seed is slower than buying divisions or bare roots, and seed-grown plants may not match the parent flower color.

Key specs

• 100 seeds per packet
• Mixed colors
• Perennial Hemerocallis species

Pros

• Large quantity for filling a bed or border
• Daylilies are widely adaptable and hardy
• Budget-friendly way to start a big planting

Cons

• Seed-grown plants may take two or more years to flower
• Colors from seed are unpredictable

Bottom line: Best for patient gardeners who want many perennial plants from one packet and do not mind waiting.

View on Amazon

100Pcs Calla Lily Seeds Beautiful Flowers Mix

100Pcs Calla Lily Seeds Beautiful Flowers Mix Color Perennial Plant

View on Amazon

Best for: Containers and warm-climate beds where a tropical look is wanted.

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia) are tender perennials. They survive year-round only in frost-free climates, typically USDA zones 8 through 11. Elsewhere they are grown in pots and moved indoors, or dug and stored. Seed-grown callas take a long time to reach flowering size.

Key specs

• 100 seeds per packet
• Mixed flower colors
• Tender perennial species

Pros

• Striking architectural flowers
• Good for containers that move indoors
• Large seed count

Cons

• Slow from seed, often two or more years to bloom
• Not hardy outdoors in cold winters

Bottom line: Best for gardeners in warm zones or those who grow in pots and bring plants indoors for winter.

View on Amazon

Buying Guide

Know whether you have a true lily or a look-alike

True lilies belong to the genus Lilium and grow from scaly bulbs. Daylilies, calla lilies, gladiolus and toad lilies carry the name but belong to other genera. Check the botanical name on the listing before assuming a product is a perennial lily in the usual sense.

Good picks for this: Forever Susan Lily Bulbs for Planting, Blacklist Asiatic Lily Bulbs

Hardiness zone

Perennial status depends on winter cold. Asiatic lilies are generally hardy into zone 3 or 4, while many oriental and tender types need milder winters. Match the listing to your USDA zone, and check whether the seller specifies hardiness.

Good picks for this: Blacklist Asiatic Lily Bulbs, 30+ Perennial Tricyrtis Wonder Toad Lily Seeds

Bulbs versus seed

Bulbs flower in one season in most cases. Seed takes one to several seasons to flower, and colors may not be true to the parent plant. Choose bulbs if you want bloom sooner, and seed if you want quantity and are willing to wait.

Good picks for this: Forever Susan Lily Bulbs for Planting, 100Pcs Perennial Daylily Hemerocallis Seeds

Light and shade tolerance

Most true lilies prefer full sun to light shade, typically at least six hours of direct sun. Toad lilies handle deeper shade. Check your site’s light before buying.

Good picks for this: 30+ Perennial Tricyrtis Wonder Toad Lily Seeds, Forever Susan Lily Bulbs for Planting

Use case: cut flowers, borders or containers

Tall gladiolus spikes suit cutting gardens. Compact lilies work well in containers. Consider how you plan to use the plants before choosing a species.

Good picks for this: 10 Gladiolus Bulbs, Mixed Colors, 100Pcs Calla Lily Seeds Beautiful Flowers Mix

Winter care and lifting

In zones where the ground freezes hard, some lilies and nearly all tender types need protection or lifting. Mulch after the ground freezes, and do not let bulbs sit in waterlogged soil over winter. Lift and store tender corms or bulbs in a dry, cool place if your winters are harsh.

Good picks for this: 10 Gladiolus Bulbs, Mixed Colors, 100Pcs Calla Lily Seeds Beautiful Flowers Mix

Drainage and soil

Lily bulbs rot in soggy soil. Plant in well-drained beds or raised containers, and amend heavy clay with compost or grit. Good drainage matters more to bulb survival than almost any other factor.

Good picks for this: Forever Susan Lily Bulbs for Planting, Blacklist Asiatic Lily Bulbs

FAQ

Are all lilies perennials?

Most true lilies (Lilium) are perennials, and many return reliably for years. Some look-alikes, such as calla lilies, are tender perennials that die in freezing weather, and gladiolus is usually grown as a half-hardy perennial.

Do lilies come back every year?

Hardy lilies generally do, provided the bulbs are planted at the correct depth, in well-drained soil, and in a suitable climate. Bulbs that are left waterlogged or damaged may fail to return.

How deep should I plant lily bulbs?

A common guideline is to plant true lily bulbs about two to three times as deep as the bulb is tall, usually 4 to 8 inches. Confirm the recommended depth on the packaging for your variety.

Why did my lily not come back?

Common causes include rot from poor drainage, a winter colder than the variety tolerates, rodent or insect damage, and crowding. Lilies also decline if foliage is removed too early in the season, since leaves feed the bulb.

Can I grow lilies from seed?

Yes, but most true lilies take two to three years or more to bloom from seed. Some look-alikes, such as toad lilies and daylilies, also take one or more seasons. Bulbs are usually the faster route.

Do lilies need to be dug up in winter?

Hardy lilies usually stay in the ground. Tender types, such as calla lilies in colder zones, are often lifted and stored indoors. Check the requirements for your specific plant and your local winter conditions.

Conclusion

Most true lilies are perennials that return each year from bulbs, but the word “lily” is applied to several plants that differ in hardiness. For a dependable perennial lily in a garden bed, the Forever Susan Lily Bulbs for Planting is a sensible starting point. Gardeners wanting dark, dramatic color may prefer the Blacklist Asiatic Lily Bulbs. Shade gardeners should consider the toad lily seeds, cutting-garden growers the gladiolus, and patient budget planters the daylily seeds. Warm-climate or container gardeners can explore calla lily seeds. Always confirm your USDA zone and the plant’s hardiness before buying.

Sources

• Extension guidance on lily and bulb planting, hardiness and care (extension.org)
• USDA plant hardiness zone map for matching lilies to your winter climate (usda.gov)
• University of Florida horticulture information on perennial bulbs and flowering plants (hort.ufl.edu)

Related reading

• When and How to Divide Perennial Plants Successfully
• Houseplant Calla Lily Plant Care Indoors: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Perennials for Zone 6b: 10 Best Picks for Every Garden (2026)
• 8 Best Zone 5 Flowering Perennials for Cold-Climate Gardens (2026)

About Claire Whitaker

Claire Whitaker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our plant care Q&A guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.