Fritillaria affinis aka Checker Lily

Taxonomy

Fritillaria affinis, also known as the chocolate lily, is a highly variable species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae that is native to western North America. It grows from a bulb resembling a small mass of rice grains and can reach heights of 10-120 cm. In the spring, it produces nodding flowers that are yellowish or greenish brown with yellow mottling, purplish black with little mottling, or yellow-green mottled with purple. The leaves are in whorls. This plant prefers soil that is well draining and thrives in long-lasting, direct light, ideally within 1 foot of a window. While the Checker Lily is a super rare houseplant, it too requires regular watering to thrive and doesn't need added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Checker Lily, Chocolate Lily

How to care for Checker Lily

Difficulty

Checker Lily presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Checker Lily should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Checker Lily loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Checker Lily prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Checker Lily to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Checker Lily is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

Checker Lily grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Checker Lily’s native range is Western N. America - British Columbia to California, east to Idaho.


More info:
Wikipedia