Sego Lily
Calochortus nuttallii
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. E001 — Calochortus nuttallii
Calochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttalliiCalochortus nuttallii
IOverview
Overview
The Sego Lily (Calochortus nuttallii) is a member of the family Amaryllidaceae and is native to the western United States, specifically found in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. This plant thrives in full sun and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions, thriving best in light (sandy) or medium soil types. It is hardy from USDA zones 3 to 7 and grows to a height of about 0.2 meters. The Sego Lily is not only ornamental but also edible; its flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds are all considered safe for consumption.
Quick answers
What is Sego Lily?
The Sego Lily (Calochortus nuttallii) is a member of the family Amaryllidaceae and is native to the western United States, specifically found in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Sego Lily thrives in full sun and prefers light to medium soil that is well-draining. It can handle both dry and moist conditions but generally does best in drier environments. The plant grows up to 20 cm tall and is hardy in zones 3-7, making it suitable for temperate regions. For propagation, gardeners can use seeds or divide the bulbs. All parts of the sedge are edible, including the flowers, leaves, root, and seed.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
3-7
Mature size
0.2 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Sego Lily for the first time
7steps
Start with planting Sego Lilies in a sunny spot and basic soil preparation for your first gardening experience.
- 1
What you'll need
Sego Lily bulbs, well-draining potting mix, small container or garden bed.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring before new growth starts or in fall after the heat has subsided.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is well-draining with a mix of sand and loam. Containers should have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant bulbs 2-3 times their depth, spacing them about 10 cm apart in the garden or container.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly to avoid rot. Keep soil slightly moist but not waterlogged.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun and minimal watering, especially once established. Fertilize lightly if needed.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves in late winter to early spring before new growth emerges.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootSeed
Edible uses: The sego lily (Calochortus nuttallii) is edible and its various parts can be consumed. The flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds are all usable. Typically, the bulbs and young leaves are harvested in spring and eaten raw or cooked. Roots can also be dried for later use. SKIP
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
11 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
11 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 11 native
Broader regions
native:Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · e001a7aa-b706-43d5-8886-1c7e86ee3859
Decision aid
Choosing between Sego Lily and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.