How Are Easter Lilies Grown?

Selecting

• The first important step in growing an Easter lily is to choose the best plant. Look for dark green leaves and fresh, healthy-looking blooms. Purchase lilies with new buds on them to ensure you will see bright new blooms within a few days.

Planting

• After the last frost has come and gone, and the Easter lily has stopped blooming, it can be planted outside safely. Choose a well-drained area with rich soil that gets plenty of sun. Combine a quality planting mix with the existing soil. Plant the bulbs 3 inches deep and add an additional 3 inches of topsoil to cover them. If planting multiple lilies, space them 12 to 18 inches apart. Thoroughly water all plants immediately.

Maintenance

• Once the original plant has died back, cut stems level with the soil. New plant growth will appear, and there may be a second blooming cycle during the summer. Continue to water the plants regularly and mulch thoroughly during cold weather months. By the next summer, a fresh new growth of Easter lilies will appear.