How to Plant, Grow and Care For Lilies

Preparing the Beds

Planting your lilies is only the first step in growing them. You'll also need to prepare the soil in order for them to thrive.

Lily beds should be well-drained, loose and enriched with compost or manure. If your soil is compacted, till it in and add compost before planting lilies. Preparing the bed in late fall means you can plant them early spring without worrying about getting cold weather damage on young plants.

Choose a site with well-drained soil.

• Choose a site with well-drained soil. While lilies are very hardy plants, they do require good drainage in order to thrive. The roots of the plant need to be able to breathe, otherwise they'll rot and die.

• Plant them in full sun or partial shade (depending on the species). Native to North America, some types of lilies grow naturally in shady areas while others prefer full sunlight; some will even do well indoors!

• You can grow them either as potted plants or outdoors in the ground. Some varieties are better suited for growing as annuals than perennials because they tend not to overwinter well in colder climates such as those found up north; however many other species thrive year after year no matter where you live!

Loosen the soil with a spade or tiller.

Loosen the soil with a spade or tiller. You may need to loosen the soil in your garden bed before planting lilies, especially if you live in an area that gets cold enough for frost to form on the ground in wintertime. Use a spade or tiller to dig into the soil and break up any hard clods of dirt left over from previous years plantings. If you don't have either of these tools at home, try renting them from your local hardware store when you're ready to plant lilies in your garden beds!

Till in compost or manure if necessary.

Compost is a great source of nutrients, and manure is a good source of nitrogen. If your soil contains either one or both, you don't have to add any additional fertilizer (although it can be useful if your soil doesn't contain enough). Compost can also be used as a fertilizer on its own.

Plant bulbs when the soil temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius).

Plant bulbs when the soil temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). Planting time depends on the variety of lily you are planting. Look at the label on the bulb to see if it is hard or soft and don't plant until it has hardened off. If you can't wait until spring, then get your hands in some dirt and plant them now!

The best way to grow lilies is by planting them in fall or early winter. This will allow them ample time for their roots to develop before spring arrives and they begin growing again. The general rule is that warmer zones should be planted in fall while cooler climates should plant during early summertime.

Plant the bulbs 2-3 inches deep and 3-6 inches apart.

Plant the bulbs 2-3 inches deep and 3-6 inches apart. The depth depends on the size of your bulb, but as a general rule, you should plant it just below where it emerges from the soil. Bulbs are usually marked with a "top" and "bottom" side; make sure that they're planted so that their tops point upwards. If you're planting lilies in a pot, follow the same guidelines but be sure to allow plenty of space between each bulb (they grow large).

The lily's beauty comes from its ability to bloom at different times throughout summer—you'll want some blooms right away to get things started!

Cover them with soil, water them thoroughly, and add mulch.

Once the bulbs have been planted, cover them with soil and water them thoroughly. Add mulch to keep the soil from drying out too quickly.

If your flowers are blooming late or not blooming at all, they may not be getting enough sun!

Lilies can be fickle plants, but if yours aren’t blooming as expected, chances are good that it has to do with the amount of sunlight they receive. Lilies need at least 6 hours of sun each day for optimal growth and bloom. They like full sun, but can tolerate partial shade. If your flowers are blooming late or not at all, they may not be getting enough sunlight!

If you have a shady yard or garden where lilies will struggle to thrive (and thus produce fewer flowers), consider planting them in containers instead; this way they can move around your yard as needed throughout the year so they get plenty of sunlight when conditions allow it!

Conclusion

We hope you’ve found this helpful! If you have any questions about caring for lilies or would like to share your own tips and tricks, please feel free to reach out.