If you’ve noticed ragged holes or missing plants in your flower bed, you’re likely wondering what eats lilies. These beautiful perennials are a favorite target for a surprising number of garden pests that consume their leaves, stems, and even bulbs.
This guide will help you identify the culprits and give you clear, effective strategies to protect your plants. We’ll cover everything from tiny insects to large mammals, so you can take action fast.
What Eats Lilies
The list of lily lovers is long, but damage patterns are distinct. Here’s a breakdown of the most common offenders and how to spot their handiwork.
1. The Lily Leaf Beetle (Lilioceris lilii)
This is public enemy number one for lily growers. The adult beetle is bright scarlet red and easy to see, but its damage is severe.
* Appearance: Adults are about 1/4 inch long with a brilliant red body and black head, legs, and antennae.
* Damage: Both adults and larvae chew irregular holes in leaves and can strip a plant bare. The larvae are especially nasty; they cover themselves in their own black excrement for protection.
* Signs: Look for skeletonized leaves, red adults, and these messy, slug-like larvae.
2. Slugs and Snails
These nocturnal feeders are classic culprits for ragged, irregular damage on lily foliage, often appearing overnight.
* Appearance: Slugs are soft-bodied and slimy, while snails carry a spiral shell.
* Damage: They create large, irregular chewed holes in leaves and flowers. They leave behind a tell-tale silvery mucus trail.
* Signs: Check for slime trails on leaves and soil, and inspect plants after dusk with a flashlight.
3. Aphids
These tiny sap-suckers weaken plants and spread disease, which can be just as harmful as chewing damage.
* Appearance: Small, pear-shaped insects in green, black, or red. They cluster on new growth and undersides of leaves.
* Damage: They cause leaves to curl and stunt growth. Their sticky “honeydew” excretion leads to sooty mold.
* Signs: Curling leaves, clusters of tiny bugs, and sticky residue on the plant.
4. Deer and Rabbits
These mammals can cause devastating damage quickly, often eating entire plants down to the ground.
* Deer Damage: Ragged tears on leaves and stems, as deer lack upper incisors. They often eat blooms and buds. Damage is typically higher off the ground.
* Rabbit Damage: Clean, angled cuts (like a sharp knife) on stems and leaves. They eat low to the ground and may clip young shoots entirely.
* Signs: Tracks in soil, droppings, and the characteristic height and type of damage.
5. Voles and Other Rodents
These pests attack from below, targeting the nutritious lily bulbs, especially in fall and winter.
* Appearance: Voles look like stocky mice with short tails. Moles (which are insectivores) may create tunnels used by voles.
* Damage: Bulbs are chewed or entirely consumed from underground. Plants may fail to emerge in spring.
* Signs: Sudden plant collapse, missing bulbs when dug up, and small surface runways in grass or mulch.
Less Common but Problematic Pests
* Caterpillars: Various species, like the cabbage looper, can chew large holes in leaves.
* Vine Weevils: The soil-dwelling larvae feed on roots and bulbs, while adults notch leaf edges.
* Squirrels & Chipmunks: They may dig up and disturb newly planted bulbs or eat young shoots.
How to Protect Your Lilies: A Step-by-Step Plan
Once you’ve identified the pest, follow these targeted steps.
Step 1: Daily Inspection
Make a habit of checking your lilies every day or two, especially in spring when new growth appears. Early detection is the key to easy control. Look under leaves and along stems.
Step 2: Immediate Physical Removal
For many pests, this is the most effective first line of defense.
1. For lily leaf beetles, carefully hand-pick adults and larvae and drop them into soapy water. Crushing them can leave stains and odor.
2. For slugs and snails, handpick at night or set up traps like shallow dishes of beer sunk into the soil.
3. For aphids, a strong blast of water from the hose can knock them off the plant and disrupt their colonies.
Step 3: Apply Barriers and Deterrents
Create physical obstacles to keep pests away.
* For Deer & Rabbits: Install a physical barrier like chicken wire cages around plants or use deer fencing. Repellent sprays (egg-based or predator urine) need frequent reapplication, especially after rain.
* For Slugs: Sprinkle a barrier of diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells around the base of plants. Copper tape around pots can also deter them.
* For Bulb-Eaters: Plant bulbs inside wire mesh cages buried in the planting hole. This allows roots and shoots to grow but protects the bulb.
Step 4: Use Targeted, Responsible Treatments
If infestations are severe, consider these options.
* Insecticidal Soap or Neem Oil: Effective against soft-bodied pests like aphids, young beetle larvae, and some caterpillars. It must contact the pest directly. Apply in the cooler parts of the day.
* Biological Control: Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs (for aphids) or use parasitic nematodes for soil-dwelling grubs.
* Pesticides: Use as a last resort. For lily leaf beetles, spinosad-based products can be effective. Always choose the least toxic option and follow label instructions exactly. Avoid spraying when plants are in bloom to protect pollinators.
Step 5: Cultivate a Healthy Garden Ecosystem
A balanced garden is your best long-term defense.
* Encourage birds, frogs, and toads, which eat slugs and insects.
* Keep the garden clean of debris where pests can hide.
* Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which promotes soft, sappy growth that attracts aphids.
Prevention is the Best Medicine
Stopping pests before they become a problem saves time and heartache. Here’s your prevention checklist:
* Choose Resistant Varieties: Some lilies, like certain Orienpet hybrids, show slightly more resistance to beetles.
* Inspect New Plants: Never introduce a new lily (or host plant like fritillaria) without checking it thoroughly for beetles and eggs.
* Rotate Plantings: If voles are a major issue, consider planting bulbs in different areas each year.
* Use Companion Planting: Strongly scented plants like garlic, chives, or sage may help deter some pests, though results can vary.
FAQs About Lily Pests
Q: What is eating my lily leaves?
A: The most likely culprits are the red lily leaf beetle, slugs, or caterpillars. Examine the leaves for the pest itself, slime trails, or the type of chewing damage to identify which one.
Q: How do I stop slugs from eating my lilies?
A: Combine methods for best results: handpick at night, set beer traps, and create barriers with diatomaceous earth. Encouraging natural predators like ground beetles is also very helpful.
Q: Are lilies resistant to any pests?
A: No lily is completely pest-proof, but some varieties are less appealing to deer and rabbits. Unfortunately, the red lily leaf beetle will attack almost all true lilies (Lilium species).
Q: What animal eats lily bulbs?
A: Voles, mice, and sometimes squirrels are the primary animals that dig up and consume lily bulbs. Moles may disturb them while tunneling but don’t typically eat them.
Q: Can lilies recover from pest damage?
A: Yes, if the bulb is still healthy, lilies can often recover from significant leaf loss. Remove damaged foliage, ensure the plant is watered, and it may send up new growth or return the following season. Consistent pest pressure over years will weaken and eventually kill the plant though.
Protecting your lilies requires vigilance and a mix of strategies. By knowing what eats lilies and acting quickly, you can enjoy their stunning blooms all season long. Remember, a healthy garden starts with observing and responding to the small signs before they become big problems.