White Lily Care

Extending Flower Life

• The center of mature flowers contains yellow anthers that shed pollen. Removing the anthers extends the life of the flower by preventing pollination and keeps the pollen from staining the flowers and objects nearby. Reach into the center of the flower, grasp the anther and gently twist and pull the anther away, or clip them off with a small pair of scissors.

Care in the Home

• Indoors, white lilies enjoy cool temperatures, preferably between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the plants in bright, indirect sunlight, away from heat sources and drafts. Trim away faded blooms and brown leaves. Enjoy the plants indoors or plant them outside after the last frost.

Transplanting Outdoors

• White lilies need well-drained soil. Where drainage is questionable or poor, plant them in raised beds. Place the plant in the ground a few inches deeper than they originally grew in the pot. Mulch the surface of the soil with approximately three inches of organic mulch. Mulching cools the soil surface, discourages weeds and helps conserve water. Remove the old foliage when it dies back. A new plant will soon sprout and bloom again.

Water and Fertilizer

• Water white lilies thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil dries out. If your plant is wrapped in a foil cover, remove the cover before watering and allow excess water to drain away before replacing it. Water trapped in the foil can cause problems; white lilies do not like wet feet. Fertilize every six weeks during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer.

Bring the Bulbs Indoors for the Winter

• Transplant outdoor lily bulbs to a pot before the first frost and bring them inside. Water them thoroughly and place in a cool spot, approximately 45 to 50 degrees F. Check them regularly and water them as needed to keep the soil slightly moist. Move the plant to a sunny window in January and begin to water and fertilize as normal.