How to Care for Easter Lilies in South Florida

Location

• Easter lilies are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Because South Florida spans USDA zones 9 to 11, you must provide dappled afternoon shade along with ample morning sunlight for healthy Easter lily growth. A full-sunlight location quickly dries and kills struggling lilies. Sending up stems and leaves in January, Easter lilies take advantage of mild winters for blossom development; some bulbs bloom as early as May in South Florida. This early bloom time also depends on a well-drained site and ample soil moisture. Spread mulch around your bulbs to regulate soil temperature while conserving moisture at the root level. Keep a close eye on aphid populations. Use ladybugs to control their numbers. Although Easter lilies do not have a lot of pest issues, aphids can carry lily mosaic virus that decimates flowers and bulbs.

Watering

• Because of South Florida's wet summers, choose a location not subject to flooding. Alternative planting sites include raised beds or containers. Before the rainy season sets in, hand-water your Easter lilies as soon as stems and leaves emerge in mid- to late winter, but avoid over-watering. Bulbs quickly rot in wet conditions. If the bulbs will be planted directly in the garden, consider using drip irrigation. Your growing flowers must have consistent soil moisture. Drip irrigation slowly seeps water directly into the soil for accurate watering, especially if you are not home consistently.

Summer Wilt

• Easter lilies in full bloom fade quickly in South Florida's hot summer climate. To preserve your flowers in both spring and summer, consider potting the bulbs initially. You can leave containers outdoors in the mild spring and bring them indoors as summer heat rises. In general, an indoor temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit allows your blossoms to remain viable longer. Cut the pollen-laden anthers off to keep the flowers blooming. As flowers fade, remove them from the stems to reduce energy loss to seed development. Your bulb may send more flowers upward, depending on energy reserves.

Encouraging Next Season's Flowers

• Allow your Easter lilies to keep their foliage long after removing the spent blossoms. Your leaves need to photosynthesize until they are completely yellow. Bulbs store this latent energy for next year's blossoms. You can also encourage flower development by refrigerating your bulbs in the fall for approximately two months. This cooling period stimulates blossom development within the bulb for prolific flowering next season.