Butterfly Mariposa Lily

Calochortus venustus

geophyteView on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

very low

Soil

Fast, Medium, Slow; Tolerates clay but prefers fast draining soil.

Size

0–2ft tall, 1–1ft wide

Bloom

Mar-May

Foliage

Deciduous

Container

Friendly

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Bulbs eaten raw or roasted; traditional Indigenous staple food

Native Range

Grasslands and oak woodlands from the Diablo Range south through the southern Sierra Nevada foothills to Kern County, 500-3000 ft elevation.

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your butterfly mariposa lily in full sun with fast-draining soil - while it tolerates clay, it will perform better in sandy or well-draining conditions. Space bulbs to allow room for the plant's branching stems, which typically reach 1–2 feet tall. Plant in fall or early spring before the growing season begins. For maximum visual impact, plant several bulbs together rather than singly, as they're more striking when massed.

After Planting

Water moderately during the growing season and spring bloom, but here's the critical part: stop watering completely once the plant finishes flowering. This plant requires summer dormancy to thrive, so withholding water after bloom is non-negotiable - it's not neglect, it's what the plant needs. The most common mistake Bay Area gardeners make is continuing to water through summer, which rots the bulb. Once established, never irrigate during summer months.

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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported

Perdita BeeTrachusa perdita

Listed under ESA and CESA; endemic to Southern California

Federal: Endangered, CA: Endangered

California ringlet butterflyCoenonympha california

California state threatened species

CA: Threatened

Chalcedon CheckerspotEuphydryas chalcedona

California Species of Special Concern

CA Special Concern

Wildlife Supported