Gymea lily (Doryanthes excelsa)

When it flowers

January, not flowering
February, not flowering
March, not flowering
April, not flowering
May, not flowering
June, not flowering
July, not flowering
August, flowering
September, flowering
October, flowering
November, flowering
December, not flowering

Doryanthes excelsa — Photo: No machine-readable author provided. PDH assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Doryanthes excelsa in Heathcote National Park.. Photo: English Wikipedia user Adam.J.W.C., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Twin Gymea lillies and Curracurrong Falls in Royal National Park, Sydney.. Photo: Rod Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Giant rosette plant sending up a towering spike of red flowers.

A dramatic feature plant with long sword-like leaves. Mature plants send up a flower spike several metres tall topped with a red flower head. Can take many years to flower.

In the garden

Feature plant

Leaves: Long, broad sword-like leaves.
Attracts: Birds
Flowers: A large head of red flowers on a spike 3 to 5 m tall.

Growing conditions

Climate: Subtropical and temperate
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Sandy and loam
Drainage: Needs good drainage
Frost: Light frost
Water: Very drought tolerant

Planting and care

Grown from: Seed and division

Where it comes from

Native to: New South Wales
Natural range: Coastal NSW, mainly around Sydney.

Widely available.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

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Gymea lily Doryanthes excelsa