Easter Lily

What you'll need:

A pot with drainage holes (if planting indoors) or a spot in your garden

Well-draining soil – regular potting mix works well, but if it feels too heavy, mix in some sand or perlite

A watering can or hose

• Easter Lily bulbs (available at garden centers or online)
• A sunny location for outdoor planting or a bright spot indoors

When to start:

Easter Lilies are typically planted in early spring when the weather starts to warm up. If you're planting outdoors, wait until after the last frost has passed. Indoors, you can plant them anytime as long as they get enough light.

Choosing a good spot:

Easter Lilies love sunlight but not too much heat. They thrive in spots that get about 6 hours of morning sun and some shade in the afternoon. If you're planting indoors, place them near a window that gets bright, indirect light.

Tip: If you’re planting outside, make sure the soil is loose and drains well. You don’t want water sitting around the roots, as this can cause them to rot.

If you have bulbs:

1. Prepare the soil: Fill your pot or dig a hole in the ground that’s about 6 inches deep and wide enough to fit the bulb comfortably.
2. Place the bulb: Put the bulb in the hole with the pointy side facing up. The top of the bulb should be about 4-6 inches below the soil surface.
3. Cover the bulb: Gently cover the bulb with soil, making sure it’s snug but not packed too tightly.
4. Water lightly: Give the soil a good drink, but don’t overdo it — just enough to make the soil moist.

If you have a potted Easter Lily:

1. Choose a container: If you’re moving it to a new pot, make sure it has drainage holes.
2. Prepare the soil: Use a well-draining potting mix. Add some sand or perlite if the soil feels too dense.
3. Replant carefully: Remove the plant from its current pot, gently loosen the roots, and place it in the new pot. Fill in around the roots with soil and press down lightly.
4. Water thoroughly: Water the plant until you see water coming out of the drainage holes.

Planting tips:

• Space multiple lilies about 12-18 inches apart if planting in the garden.
• If you’re planting in a pot, choose one that’s at least 12 inches wide to give the roots room to grow.
• After planting, sprinkle a little balanced fertilizer around the base of the plant to give it a nutrient boost.

Watering:

• Keep the soil consistently moist, but don’t let it get soggy. Overwatering is the most common mistake with Easter Lilies.
• Check the soil regularly by sticking your finger into it. If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.
• Water early in the morning so any moisture on the leaves dries quickly, reducing the risk of disease.

Sunlight:

• Easter Lilies prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Too much direct sun, especially in the afternoon, can scorch their leaves.
• If you’re growing them indoors, a bright east- or west-facing window is ideal.

Feeding:

• Feed your Easter Lily every 4-6 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the bottle, but remember that less is more — you don’t want to over-fertilize.
• Stop fertilizing once the plant starts to flower to avoid encouraging too much leaf growth instead of blooms.

Temperature:

• Easter Lilies like cooler temperatures, ideally between 60-65°F (15-18°C). If you’re growing them indoors, keep them away from heat sources like radiators or vents.

Pruning & Deadheading:

• Once the flowers start to fade, cut off the spent blooms (this is called deadheading). This helps the plant focus its energy on producing more flowers rather than seeds.
• After the blooming season, you can trim back the stems to about 2 inches above the soil, but leave the foliage alone until it turns yellow or brown.

Support:

• If your lily grows tall and starts to lean, gently stake it to keep it upright. Use a soft tie or string to loosely attach the stem to the stake.

Wait, harvesting Easter Lilies?

Actually, Easter Lilies aren’t usually “harvested” in the traditional sense. Instead, you’ll enjoy their beautiful blooms during the flowering season. Here’s how to handle the blooming process:

When do Easter Lilies bloom?

• Easter Lilies typically bloom in late spring to early summer, but indoor plants may bloom earlier depending on when they were forced to flower by growers.
• Each flower lasts about a week, and the entire blooming period can last several weeks if the plant is healthy.

How to enjoy longer blooms:

• To extend the life of the flowers, remove the yellow anthers (the pollen-producing part) inside the bloom. This not only makes the flower look prettier but also prevents pollen from staining furniture or clothes.
• Keep the plant away from direct sunlight and drafts, which can shorten the blooming period.

After blooming care:

• Once the flowers fade, cut them off to help the plant conserve energy.
• Allow the leaves to continue growing until they turn yellow or brown, as they’re helping the bulb store energy for next year’s blooms.

Q: Why are my Easter Lily’s leaves turning yellow?

A: Yellow leaves can mean a few things: overwatering, underwatering, or too much direct sunlight. Check the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule. Also, ensure the plant isn’t getting too much harsh afternoon sun.

Q: Can I grow Easter Lilies indoors year-round?

A: Yes, but they might not bloom as profusely indoors as they would outdoors. They need a cool resting period (around 40-50°F or 4-10°C) for several weeks to trigger blooming again. If you can provide that, they’ll likely bloom again next year.

Q: Do Easter Lilies come back every year?

A: Yes, Easter Lilies are perennials, meaning they can return year after year if cared for properly. After the blooming season, let the foliage die back naturally, then cut it down. The bulb will go dormant and sprout again next spring.

Q: Are Easter Lilies safe for pets?

A: Unfortunately, Easter Lilies are toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure if ingested. If you have cats, it’s best to keep these plants out of reach or opt for pet-safe alternatives.

Q: My Easter Lily isn’t blooming. What should I do?

A: It could be due to insufficient light, improper watering, or lack of nutrients. Make sure it’s getting enough sunlight (but not too much), water consistently, and feed it with a balanced fertilizer. Also, check if the bulb is too crowded — Easter Lilies sometimes need to be divided after a few years.