Most likely what is eating the leaves on your lily is what is called the lily beetle and it is very bad and difficult to eradicate. Insecticidal soap may help but you may have to take other measures also as this is a bad bug.
Another frequent inquiry is “What do lilies eat?”.
One answer is, they will eat apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, lemons, limes, melons, bananas, cantaloupes, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, celery, parsley, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, marjoram, fennel, chives, horseradish, mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, honey, maple syrup, ….
In the wild, they eat insects and other small animals, but they can also be found in gardens and yards where they will consume plant seeds. They are quite capable of eating the seeds of the lily, which is why they are sometimes referred to as “lily-eaters”.
If you live in an environment where deers, rabbits or squirrels are abundant, your lilies may be in trouble. These animals are especially fond of eating the buds and the soft foliage, so they may damage your lilies as they forage for food. The best way to protect your lilies is to erect physical barriers using things like chicken wire.
How do I keep animals from eating my lily bulbs?
The best way to keep your plants from becoming a critter’s lunch is to block animals from reaching them. To prevent underground access, plant your lily bulbs in bulb cages.
So keeping them off is justified. They have to be worth protecting from red lily beetle! I employ two strategies in stopping lily beetle. One is to stop them finding the plant to start with, and second to kill them if they do find it. To mask the scent of the plant I use blended garlic filtered into a spray bottle.
Can you eat Lily Leaves Raw?
The young green leaves of lilies are actually one of the most common and edible parts. They are edible whether they are raw or cooked. If you want something more fibrous, you should get older sets of leaves. Tubers are parts of the lilies that can also be eaten raw or you can cook them.
Why are my lily leaves wilting?
So if you notice your lilies are wilting or dropping their leaves more often than usual, it may be a sign of an aphid infestation. Aphids are tiny insects that suck the juices out of the stems and leaves of the lily plants. This weakens the plant so that it cannot grow or flower properly.