Eremurus Growing Guide

What is Eremurus?

Eremurus (Eremurus spp) is also known as the Desert Candle or Foxtail Lily due to the shape and size of this plants interesting flower spike which looks like a foxes tail. They come from the Asphodelaceae family and is native to Eastern Europe and Asia. Eremurus is a clump forming deciduous perennial which produces a rosette of strap shaped leaves. Their main attribute is its stunning large spike flowers which contain miniature star shaped flowers all along the stem. Depending on variety the plant flowers in Spring to early Summer with flower colours ranging from orange to yellow to white and salmon pink. Their flowers are fragrant. After flowering, the flowers will then give way to small winged seed pods. Eremurus require a full sun position in the garden. A position that has a little shade in the afternoon and out of strong winds is recommended. They are frost hardy however the new shoots are easily damaged. Bare rooted stock looks like an octopus / starfish with sprawling fleshy roots attached to the tuber in the center

Benefits of Growing Eremurus

Eremurus do not require much care once they get established. They make a superb addition to the rear of mixed borders with their large showy flowers and clumping habit. They will attract butterflies and bees to your garden. Eremurus will multiply over the years. They make for excellent cut flowers.

How to Grow Eremurus

Eremurus Romance

Climatic Zones

Cool to Temperate

Plant Size

Height: 1.2-1.5m, Width: 50cm

When To Plant Eremurus

Plant in Autumn/Winter.

Soil Preparation

They need a fertile, well drained soil. Turn over soil and add plenty of organic matter when you plant.

How To Plant Eremurus

Plant in full sun, 50cm apart with the tuber just below the surface. 5 cm. When planting splay out the fleshing roots before covering with soil. Cover with a layer of mulch and then water in.

Eremurus Plant Care

Also known as Foxtail Lily or Desert Candles, Eremurus produces spectacular spires of flowers that open sequentially from the base to the tip, creating a dynamic, long-lasting display. These luminous blooms are a magnet for pollinators, drawing bees and butterflies from afar to their nectar-rich blossoms.

To grow Eremurus successfully, choose a location that receives full sun for most of the day. These plants thrive in open, sunny spots with excellent air circulation, but due to their tall flower stems will benefit from protection from strong winds. The soil should be fertile and well-drained, preferably sandy or loamy, as Eremurus roots will rot in heavy or waterlogged soil. Avoid planting them in a clay based soil or consistently wet areas. Drainage can be improved by mixing coarse sand or gravel into the soil, or by planting on a slope or raised bed.

Plant Eremurus tubers as soon as you receive them, and handle them carefully. The brittle tubers are star-shaped and should be laid flat in the planting hole with the central crown facing slightly upward. Cover them with about 5 cm of soil. Each plant should be spaced 40-60 cm apart to give the roots room to spread.

After planting, water the area thoroughly to settle the soil. Do not fertilise at planting time; wait until foliage has emerged and is growing strongly before applying a complete fertiliser. For best results we recommend a slow release applied 2-3 times during the growing season.
During the growing season, keep the soil moderately moist but never soggy. Once established, Eremurus are drought-tolerant whilst dormant, however better flowers will come from plants that are watered regularly during the growing season. Requiring a cool to cold Winter to flower well, they are hardy in more temperate areas but may need some Winter protection in extremely cold climates. In extremely cold climates a light mulch such as straw or sugar cane mulch can be added in late Autumn and removed in early Spring as plants begin to break the surface.

Ensure plants are kept well weeded- do not have any sort of competition from weeds as this may cause flowers to abort.

After blooming, allow the foliage to die back naturally. The leaves gather energy for next year’s growth, so make sure they are not removed prematurely.
Eremurus will begin to multiply after their first two seasons—provided they’re happy in their environment. These stunning perennials prefer to be left undisturbed and thrive when allowed to establish for at least five years. Once the clump is mature, if you notice multiple flower spikes emerging from the same spot, this is a sign they are ready to be lifted and gently separated to encourage continued health and blooming.

Keep a watch out for slugs and snails.