How to Grow Foxtail Lily
Eremurus spp.
Foxtail lilies (Eremurus) produce spectacular tall spikes of densely packed flowers — yellow, orange, white or pink — in early summer, reaching 1–2.5 m. Plant the star-shaped crowns in autumn in full sun and very free-draining soil; handle the brittle roots carefully. Protect crowns from hard frost with a dry mulch of grit. Plants go fully dormant in summer, so mark their position to avoid disturbing the crowns. Established clumps are drought-tolerant and long-lived.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Apply a low-nitrogen, high-potash granular fertiliser in early spring as shoots emerge. Avoid overfeeding — too much nitrogen encourages foliage at the expense of flowers.
Watch For
- Slug damage to emerging shoots in spring
- Crown rot in waterlogged soils
- Vine weevil grubs in roots
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Requires at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. A sheltered south-facing position protects tall spikes from wind damage.
Watering
Low once established
Water in the first season to establish. Once settled, foxtail lilies are drought-tolerant and dislike waterlogged conditions. Keep dry during summer dormancy.
Fertilizing
Low-nitrogen feed in spring
A single application of low-nitrogen, high-potash granular fertiliser as shoots emerge in spring is sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds.
Pruning
Cut spent spikes, let foliage die back
Remove flower spikes at the base after blooming. Allow the strap foliage to yellow and die back naturally — cutting it green weakens the crown for the following year.
Spacing
60 cm apart
Space crowns 60 cm apart in rows 90 cm apart. Foxtail lilies resent disturbance once established so choose the final position carefully.
Support
Stake in exposed positions
In windy gardens, place a discreet stake beside each spike when it reaches 60 cm. Tall hybrids can reach 2 m and snap in strong gusts.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 60 cm |
| Row spacing | 90 cm |
| Mature height | 200 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
