How Long Does It Take For Indoor Lily Bulbs To Bloom?

Lilies prefer full sun conditions, but can also grow in partial shade. The success of lily growth depends on the location, with southern areas benefiting from partial shade windows. Indoor planting is recommended about 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Soak soil and spread it over the bulbs, which take a few weeks to grow roots. Lilies should bloom anytime from early summer to fall, depending on the variety.

Newly planted bulbs may not bloom at all the first growing season, but they will do fine starting in year two. They need a chilling period during winter every year to allow them to enter dormancy before successfully blooming again in subsequent years. Potted lilies must have at least 12cm of soil above the bulb, and bulbs should be planted 15cm apart and three times the depth of the height. If growing lilies for indoor arrangements only, it might be best to plant them in a chosen cutting garden where fresh bulbs can be planted each year.

Lilies need a cool winter dormancy period of at least 8 weeks to reinitiate the flowering cycle. Each plant blooms 2-3 weeks out of the year, and it takes 3 to 4 weeks for flowers to show from an early spring planting. Lilies need lots of sun, with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for dependable blooms. Some varieties can handle light shade, but for a variety of lilies, follow simple instructions.

A third fertilization in summer, at the latest in August, should prolong flowering. Lilies are considered heavy feeders, so planting bulbs in pots can help prolong their blooming.