How Do You Get Rid Of Tiger Lilies

You can get rid of tiger lilies by digging up their bulbs, smothering them, or using a targeted herbicide, but it takes patience and persistence.
 
If you’ve been asking how do you get rid of tiger lilies, you already know these beauties can turn into bullies in your garden.
 
They spread aggressively through bulbils, underground bulbs, and even seeds, so getting rid of tiger lilies requires a solid plan.
 
In this post, we’ll walk you through every effective method to get rid of tiger lilies for good.
 
Let’s dig into it.
 

Why Getting Rid of Tiger Lilies Takes More Than a Quick Pull

Tiger lilies are tough because they spread in so many sneaky ways.
 
When you try to get rid of tiger lilies, you’re not just pulling up one stem; you’re dealing with an underground network.
 
Each mature plant grows a bulb that can produce offsets, which are tiny new bulbs ready to sprout.
 
On top of that, the stems produce small black bulbils in their leaf axils, and these drop to the ground to form new plants.
 
So if you only remove the top growth, you won’t truly get rid of tiger lilies because the bulbs and bulbils remain ready to regrow.
 
Understanding this is the first step to successfully getting rid of tiger lilies from your yard.
 

1. Getting Rid of Tiger Lilies by Digging Up the Bulbs

The most reliable way to get rid of tiger lilies is to dig up every single bulb.
 
Wait until early spring or late fall when the plants are dormant or just emerging.
 
Use a garden fork or a sharp spade to loosen the soil in a wide circle around each plant.
 
Tiger lily bulbs can sit six to eight inches deep, so you need to dig deep to get rid of tiger lilies completely.
 
Gently lift the entire clump and sift through the soil with your hands.
 
Look for the main bulb and all the small offset bulbs attached to it.
 
Also, search for any loose bulbils that may have fallen off during digging.
 
Place every bulb, offset, and bulbil into a plastic bag and seal it tightly before disposing of it in the trash.
 
Do not compost them, as this will only help you get rid of tiger lilies from one spot but spread them to another.
 
Come back in a few weeks and check the area again for any regrowth you missed.
 

2. Smothering Tiger Lilies to Starve Them Out

If digging seems like too much hard work, you can get rid of tiger lilies by cutting off their light and energy.
 
Start by cutting all tiger lily stems down to ground level in early spring before they flower.
 
Then, cover the area with a thick layer of cardboard or several layers of newspaper.
 
Overlap the edges by at least six inches so tiger lilies can’t find a gap to poke through.
 
Wet the cardboard down thoroughly, and then pile on at least four to six inches of mulch, wood chips, or compost.
 
This blocks sunlight, and without photosynthesis, the bulbs can’t store energy.
 
The repeated action of cutting back new shoots and keeping them covered will eventually get rid of tiger lilies, though it can take a full growing season or two.
 
Be patient, and check the covered area monthly for any sneaky sprouts that push through.
 

3. Using Herbicides to Get Rid of Tiger Lilies

When you’re dealing with a huge patch, a targeted herbicide is the most practical way to get rid of tiger lilies.
 
Choose a non-selective herbicide containing glyphosate, but apply it carefully so you don’t harm nearby plants.
 
The best time to spray is in late spring or early summer when the tiger lilies are actively growing and have plenty of leaf surface.
 
On a calm, dry day, spray the foliage thoroughly, making sure to wet both the tops and undersides of the leaves.
 
The herbicide is absorbed by the leaves and travels down into the bulbs.
 
You may need to reapply after two to three weeks if you see new growth, and this repeated approach will help you get rid of tiger lilies more fully.
 
Remember to wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection when handling any chemical.
 
Also, keep children and pets away from the treated area until the spray has dried completely.
 

4. Boiling Water as a Natural Way to Get Rid of Tiger Lilies

For a small cluster, pouring boiling water directly onto the plant is a simple, chemical-free method.
 
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and carefully pour it over the entire tiger lily plant and the surrounding soil.
 
The heat will scald the leaves and roots, damaging the bulb’s ability to regenerate.
 
This method will get rid of tiger lilies in that immediate spot, but it often needs several treatments to kill the deepest bulbs.
 
Wait about two weeks between pours, and be careful not to splash boiling water on desirable plants nearby.
 
Also, avoid using this method near underground utility lines or in areas where you plan to grow new plants soon.
 

5. Preventing New Tiger Lilies From Spreading

Once you’ve started the removal process, you need to stop the spread so you don’t have to get rid of tiger lilies all over again.
 
Deadhead every flower before it forms seed pods, and pick off the little black bulbils before they drop.
 
If you have a compost pile, never toss any part of a tiger lily into it, as bulbils can survive and sprout in your compost.
 
Consider planting a dense groundcover or laying landscape fabric in the area to block new germination.
 
Regularly patrol your garden for volunteer seedlings, and pull them as soon as you spot them.
 
By staying vigilant, you make it much easier to get rid of tiger lilies and keep them from coming back.
 

So, How Do You Get Rid of Tiger Lilies for Good?

You can get rid of tiger lilies for good by combining digging, smothering, or herbicide with consistent follow-up.
 
No single method is a magic bullet, but the key is to remove every bulb and bulbil and to prevent new seeds from spreading.
 
If you’ve been wondering how do you get rid of tiger lilies, just remember that persistence is more important than perfection.
 
Start with the method that fits your garden size and your comfort level.
 
Then, check the area regularly for regrowth and repeat your chosen method until no new shoots appear.
 
Once you get rid of tiger lilies, you can replant that space with native flowers or other non-invasive beauties.
 
And that’s how you take back your garden from these pretty but pushy perennials.