Planting & Raising Easter Lilies

Planting

• 1

  Dig a hole 6 inches deep with a hand trowel or bulb planter.

• 2

  Place the bulb in the hole with the point up and cover it with soil.

• 3

  Plant additional bulbs in the same way, spacing them 4 to 6 inches apart.

• 4

  Water deeply immediately after planting.

• 5

  Apply 2 inches of organic mulch to the soil after planting for winter protection and moisture retention.

Care

• 6

  Use a hoe to pull back the mulch in spring to allow new shoots to emerge. Replace the mulch when the shoots are tall enough.

• 7

  Fertilize with 8-8-8 slow-release fertilizer as soon as new shoots emerge. Keep the fertilizer about 2 inches from the stem.

• 8

  Remove the foliage in fall when it turns yellow and comes off the bulb easily.

Indoor Plants

• 9

  Place the plant in a bright location but not in direct sunlight. Avoid drafts and heat sources that may dry the plant, such as appliances.

• 10

  Remove the yellow stamens from inside the flowers to make the blooms last longer. Removing the stamens also prevents the flowers from shedding pollen which stains furniture and fabrics.

• 11

  Water the plant only when the soil feels dry to the touch.

• 12

  Remove the blossoms as soon as they collapse.

• 13

  Transplant outdoors in spring after all the flowers have faded and danger of frost has passed. Easter lilies probably won't rebloom indoors and they are difficult to overwinter under indoor conditions.