Troubleshooting
Lilium 'Regale' problems — and how to fix them
Lilium 'Regale' (Lilium regale) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Scarlet lily beetle
Bright red beetles and their slimy larvae rapidly strip foliage. Check from spring onward and remove pests by hand or treat.
Late-frost shoot damage
Early shoots can be nipped by spring frosts, distorting growth. Plant a little deeper and protect emerging shoots in cold gardens.
Botrytis (lily disease)
Brown-spotted leaves and rotting buds in damp, crowded conditions. Space plants, water at the base and remove affected foliage.
Bulb rot in wet soil
Waterlogged ground rots bulbs and causes failure to emerge. Plant on grit in free-draining soil or in raised beds and containers.
Prevent lilium 'regale' problems before they start
Most lilium 'regale' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for lilium 'regale' in general rather than its problems? Read the full lilium 'regale' care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Lilium 'Regale' problems — FAQ
Why is my lilium 'regale' scarlet lily beetle?
Bright red beetles and their slimy larvae rapidly strip foliage. Check from spring onward and remove pests by hand or treat.
Why is my lilium 'regale' late-frost shoot damage?
Early shoots can be nipped by spring frosts, distorting growth. Plant a little deeper and protect emerging shoots in cold gardens.
Why is my lilium 'regale' botrytis (lily disease)?
Brown-spotted leaves and rotting buds in damp, crowded conditions. Space plants, water at the base and remove affected foliage.
Why is my lilium 'regale' bulb rot in wet soil?
Waterlogged ground rots bulbs and causes failure to emerge. Plant on grit in free-draining soil or in raised beds and containers.