How To Cultivate Easter Lilies Outside?

Easter lilies, native to Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, symbolize purity and rebirth, which are key themes of the Easter holiday. They first landed in Bermuda, where they were known as the “Bermuda lily”. They last only a few weeks indoors but can be planted outside after the blossoms fade to continue enjoying their fragrance.

Indoors, place a potted Easter lily plant in a spot with bright, indirect light and keep it away from drafts or radiators. If you have a fragrant Easter lily for the holiday and want to enjoy it for years to come, plant it outside. The bulbs are winter-hardy in zones 5 to 8, but the plants do not do well in hot, humid conditions.

Plant the bulbs in the fall, a few weeks before your area’s first frost date, to allow for root growth. A rule of thumb is to bury them twice the depth of the bulb to keep the plant healthy. Easter lilies thrive in well-draining, rich soil that is rich in organic matter, and it is important to water them regularly during their growth period.

When planting, plant the lilies in the ground after they finish blooming and once nighttime temperatures have reached at least 55 degrees. Plant the lilies outdoors in May, choosing a well-drained, sunny site and placing the bulb about 6 inches deep. Place the plant near a bright window, just out of reach of the direct rays of the sun.

Easter lilies grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8, requiring well-draining, rich soil with regular moisture throughout the spring.

Can you save an Easter lily for the next year?

Easter lily bulbs can be replanted or passed on to friends in early spring or fall once they have died back. With little extra effort, these attractive plants will grow and multiply for years. Planting them outside instead of throwing them away is a simple and cost-effective way to maintain their attractiveness. Green Crircle Growers and UNL Extension in Lancaster County offer tips for planting Easter lily outdoors.

Do lilies grow better in pots or ground?

Lilies grow well in containers, with taller types requiring support. Suitable species include Lilium auratum, L. formosanum, L. longiflorum, and L. speciosum, while suitable cultivars include Asiatic hybrids and the ‘Pixie’ series. Plant in early autumn, but bulbs can be planted until spring. Lilies can also be forced into flower for indoor display, with Asiatic hybrids, L. auratum, L. longiflorum, and L. speciosum. These bulbs are kept in a cool environment to flower without natural winter chill, around six weeks after planting.

How often should I water an Easter lily?

To maintain the health of your Easter lily, water it once a week to ensure even moisture. Remove the decorative foil before watering to prevent excess water trapping. The Easter lily, a symbol of purity in pagan religions and rebirth in the Bible, is a traditional Easter and springtime flower. Originating from the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, they were introduced to the United States in 1880 and were initially produced in the southern U. S. and Japan.

However, their value increased during World War II when bulb supply halted and production moved to the West Coast. Today, most potted Easter lilies are produced in California and Oregon, making them a valuable and culturally significant flower.

How to keep Easter lilies blooming?

To save the Easter lily bulb for future planting, remove dead flowers, keep it in a bright spot indoors, and continue regular watering. Fertilize every two weeks with a half dose of liquid fertilizer. Plant only after frost has disappeared, determining the frost date by region. Easter lilies are hardy for outdoors in zones 5-9 and can exceed these. Dig a hole in a bright, well-draining spot with shade in the afternoon. Untangle tightly bound roots and plant level to the ground soil.

Backfill and cover the base with mulch to protect roots in winter. As the season progresses, the original stem and leaves may die back, and new shoots may emerge. The bulb should flower again in subsequent years but not at Easter.

Why are my lilies dying outside?

Leaf decline in newly emerging or existing foliage can be attributed to a number of factors, including overwatering, underwatering, planting at an excessive depth, and the presence of fungal diseases.

What do I do with my Easter lily after it blooms?

After the Easter Lily has finished flowering, it is important to remove the stem and leaves to allow the bulb to restore its energy. This process may take three to six months. Once frost has passed, the plant can be placed in the garden, with about half of these bulbs potentially reblooming in the winter. The variety grown for Easter gift plants is not extremely hardy.

During summer, the leaves will mature and turn yellow, and the bulb needs to rest. To keep the plant as a pot plant, dig it out of the ground and store it in a cool, dark, dry location until early winter. Replant it in a bright, sunny window and it may return to bloom next spring.

As with many gift plants, it is recommended to discard the plant after its beauty has passed and hope for another one as a gift for another holiday.

How do you keep outdoor lilies alive?

Lilies require proper care and maintenance, including applying a 5-7. 5cm (2-3in) mulch after planting and top it up annually. Outdoor plants may not need watering, but check during prolonged dry periods in summer. Container plants require regular watering in spring and summer. Feed with slow or controlled-release feed in spring and liquid feeds throughout the growing season, especially during flowering. Staking taller lilies can help them withstand strong winds.

Do Easter lilies multiply?

Easter lily bulbs can be replanted or passed on to friends in early spring or fall once they have died back. With little extra effort, these attractive plants will grow and multiply for years. It is a simple and cost-effective way to maintain your Easter lily plants, as they require minimal care and can be passed on to friends. Green Crircle Growers offers tips for planting Easter lilies outdoors.

Do Easter lilies like full sun or shade?

Easter lilies thrive in full sun to partial shade, with protection from strong afternoon sun to prevent scorching of the foliage. Position the top portion in full sun while keeping the leaves and soil shaded to maintain cool roots. Plant shorter plants or groundcovers around a lily bed or use mulch to keep soil temperatures low. Easter lilies prefer well-drained, organic matter-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, but can tolerate slight alkalinity.

Water the plants when the top inch feels dry, never allowing them to sit in water and not letting the soil dry out completely. Watering in the morning allows the foliage to dry in the sun, preventing mildew problems.

Do Easter lilies come back every year?

Easter lilies, when cared for properly, produce additional bulbs each year. To replant, dig up the surrounding area and remove the new bulbs, allowing the bulbs to continue growing. However, they may not produce blooms during the first year. The process takes about 35 days in gardens, but can be sped up or slowed down by raising or lowering the temperature in the house or greenhouse. Cats are the only animals that Easter lilies are life-threatening, while dogs and horses are not toxic, but dogs may experience a mild upset stomach if they eat them.

Can Easter lily survive outside?

Easter lilies, also known as trumpet or bugle lilies, are a beautiful and versatile plant that can be planted in cottage gardens or containers. They can survive winter in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 and higher, but in colder regions, they should be moved indoors. The lily’s tubular, 3- to 7 inch-long blooms are known as Easter lilies. They can be found in white or other colors, but specialty bulb companies may have them available. To jumpstart growth, resume watering in spring.