Growing lilies is a wonderful way to add vibrant color and charm to our gardens. We all want our lilies to bloom big and beautiful, so understanding the right steps is key.
Whether you’re just starting or have some gardening experience, this guide will help us learn how to grow lilies successfully with clear, practical tips.
Choosing Quality Bulbs
The first step is picking healthy bulbs. We want bulbs that are at least 5 cm wide and free of spots or damage. Bulbs weighing between 50-60 grams usually grow best. When we receive the bulbs, disinfecting them is important to avoid disease. Soaking them in a fungicide solution for 30 minutes, then rinsing and drying, helps protect them before planting.
Planting Lilies Correctly
We plant lilies in spring or fall, burying bulbs about 8-10 cm deep (slightly shallower in winter). Spacing is important—about 40 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants. This ensures enough space for each plant to grow healthy. For propagation, we can also try scaling (planting thick bulb scales in moist sand) or using bulblets for some lily types, though those take longer to flower.
Soil and Environment Needs
Lilies prefer well-drained, loose soil. We usually mix peat, sand, and perlite or use leaf mold with garden soil and sand. The soil’s pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5. Before planting, treating the soil with a diluted disinfectant and letting it air out helps keep pests away. Lilies enjoy plenty of light but need some shade during hot summers—about 40-50% shade depending on the lily variety. Ideal growing temperatures are between 16°C and 24°C.
Watering and Feeding
We keep soil moist but avoid waterlogging. Watering early morning and evening in summer helps. Before planting, applying organic fertilizer mixed with calcium and phosphorus gives lilies a good start. During growth, feeding every 10-15 days with balanced fertilizer helps them thrive, especially adding more potassium during flowering. Spraying leaves with a weak potassium solution can also improve flower quality.
Pruning for Better Blooms
Once plants have about 60 leaves, pinching the top can boost flower numbers by around 12%. Also, removing side flower buds once the main buds appear helps the main flowers grow bigger and stronger.
Handling Pests and Diseases
Lilies can face issues from fungi and insects. Spraying fungicides helps with mold and mildew. Good soil drainage and root treatments protect from root diseases. For pests like aphids and mites, insecticides work well. Treating soil before planting prevents underground bugs.
Year-Round Care Tips
In spring, we repot and feed lilies while ensuring good light and airflow. Summer needs shade and daily misting to avoid heat stress. Autumn is the time to reduce watering and feed more phosphorus and potassium for bulb growth. Winter requires moving lilies indoors, cutting back watering, and protecting bulbs from cold.
Flower Timing and Cutting Flowers
Lilies usually bloom naturally in spring and summer, but we can adjust bloom times in greenhouses by controlling temperature. When cutting flowers, leaving a few leaves on the stem and placing them in clean water or preservative keeps them fresh for up to 10 days.
Extra Tips for Success
Avoid planting lilies in the same spot for 2-3 years to prevent soil diseases. Store unused bulbs in cool, ventilated places. After flowering, remove old blooms and keep fertilizing bulbs until they rest. Then dig them up for storage until the next planting season.
Let's Grow Beautiful Lilies Together!
Growing lilies can be so rewarding, brightening our gardens and spirits alike. We encourage you to try these tips and share your experience with us. What challenges or successes have you had growing lilies? Let’s learn and grow together, making every garden a colorful masterpiece!
How to Grow Lilies | How to Plant Lily Bulbs | 3 Great Ways | Summer Flowering Bulbs
Video by Niall Gardens
