Triteleia Care: Tips For Growing Triplet Lily Plants

Purple Triplet Lily Plants
(Image credit: DurkTalsma)

Planting triplet lilies in your landscape is a great source of late spring or early summer color and blooms. Triplet lily plants (Triteleia laxa) are native to northwest parts of the United States, but easily grow in many areas of the country. Once planted, triteleia care is simple and basic. Let's learn more about how to grow a triplet lily.

Triteleia Plant Info

Triplet lilies are perennial plants. They are commonly called 'Pretty Face' or 'Wild Hyacinth.' Blooms of triplet lily plants can be light blue, lavender, or white. Reaching 15 to 20 inches (38-51 cm.), planting triplet lilies among plants that flower earlier adds a splash of color around foliage that should remain in the landscape until it yellows. The blooms will last two to three weeks with the right planting and triplet lily care. The flower grows on stalks that rise from grass-like clumps. These stalks have 20 to 25 small blooms in a 6 inch (15 cm.) umbel, making them appear dainty and attractive when growing in the garden.

Planting Triplet Lilies

Triplet lily plants grow from corms. Plant the corms in spring, when all danger of frost is passed or plant in autumn with other spring-blooming flowers. Those in USDA zone 6 and further north should mulch heavily for winter protection. Plant the corms about 4 inches (10 cm.) apart and 5 inches (13 cm.) deep, or three times the height of the corm. Remember to plant with the root side down. Plant in a sunny to partly sunny location that has well-draining soil. Triplet lily plants grow best in organic soil. Prepare the area before planting with shredded leaves, adding compost and any other well-composted, organic material. You can add a slow-release fertilizer now, if you like. Water in and cover with organic mulch after planting.

Triteleia Care

Triteleia care includes watering the corms until roots grow. Once established, triteleia plant info says the plant is drought tolerant. Remember, though, even drought-resistant plants like an occasional drink. When planting triplet lilies, make sure corms are firm. Plant in front of iris corms, so the blooms can detract from the foliage after the iris bloom is done. Learning how to grow a triplet lily is rewarding when the blooms burst open and grace the garden with powerful, perky color.

Becca Badgett
Writer

Becca Badgett was a regular contributor to Gardening Know How for ten years. Co-author of the book How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden, Becca specializes in succulent and cactus gardening.