<p>Lily (<i>Lilium</i> spp.) is a commercially significant horticultural crop, prized not only for its striking ornamental value but also for the edible and medicinal qualities of its bulbs. However, the lily industry struggles with limited superior varieties, low propagation efficiency, and a mismatch between cultivars and market demand, hindering its development. To address these issues, this study focused on the germplasm evaluation of lily cultivars and the optimization of exogenous plant growth regulators for bulb scale cutting propagation. We conducted a systematic evaluation of different lily cultivars based on their growth characteristics, ornamental value, and edible and medicinal qualities, providing a scientific foundation for targeted breeding. Our findings indicate that lily bulbs rarely contain high levels of multiple bioactive compounds, making it challenging to balance medicinal and edible qualities. Therefore, in practical production, cultivar selection should be tailored to specific application needs to maximize cultivation benefits. Furthermore, using three lily varieties as experimental materials, this study examined the effects of various plant growth regulators on the efficiency of scale cutting propagation, laying the groundwork for developing efficient propagation techniques. The results demonstrated that 200–300&#xa0;mg/L of 6-BA and IBA significantly improved the propagation coefficient, germination rate, and root development of the tested lily varieties. This system offers considerable flexibility in optimizing the type and concentration of plant growth regulators, allowing for customization based on the specific requirements of different lily cultivars. Overall, this study provides scientific support for efficient lily breeding and large-scale production by evaluating germplasm resources and establishing an optimized propagation system.</p>