How to Grow and Care for Easter Lily

Every year, grocery stores and garden centers stock up on potted Easter lilies, a symbol of spring’s arrival and a celebration of the Easter holiday. The Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) is known for its sweet scent and white trumpet-shaped flowers, which grow atop a tall, sturdy stem.

It’s most common to purchase a fully bloomed Easter lily plant in the spring months, then replant the bulb in a garden or pot. But because potted lilies are forced by growers to bloom ahead of the typical summer season, you likely won’t see new blooms until next summer.

To enjoy a full display in the garden, you can buy and plant Easter lily bulbs from a garden center. Below, find out everything you need to know about how to grow and care for Easter lilies in your garden, according to experts. 

Easter Lily Care

Originally cultivated on the coast of southern Japan, Easter lilies prefer mild climates, such as the Pacific Northwest, says Constance Cleveland, a gardener at the U.S. Botanic Garden. However, you can try your hand at growing Easter lilies no matter where you live, as long as you keep their needs in mind. 

Light

Easter lilies prefer a sunny to partially shady location, though they don’t love full-on afternoon sun, which can scorch the blooms. They also prefer spots that allow their roots to remain cool.

If possible, choose a spot that’s exposed to full morning sun, such as an east or south-facing part of your garden, suggests Tim Pollak, assistant manager of plant production at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Planting a groundcover around them, or adding mulch, can help keep the soil cool. 

Soil

Too much water can quickly harm Easter lilies, so Pollak recommends choosing a well-draining soil— such as a sandy soil—to prevent moisture accumulation around the roots. “Typical garden soil is also okay, as long as it’s not a heavy clay,” he says. Adding organic matter to the soil can also help it drain. 

Water

While Easter lilies don’t tolerate over-watering, they also don’t like to dry out. The flowers don’t alert you by wilting if they’re too dry, so try to maintain evenly moist soil. Water in small amounts frequently to avoid excess moisture. “Depending on your heat level, I would water them every three days,” says Cleveland. 

Temperature and humidity

Easter lilies are considered hardy in U.S. zones 4-8. While their ideal temperature range is around 70 F, Pollak says they can withstand cooler or hotter temperatures with proper care. If it gets cooler than 55 F overnight, the flowers may suffer.

Easter lilies typically perform better in humid conditions rather than dryer climates, though they don’t like extreme humidity, so try to keep humidity levels around 30 to 50 percent.

Fertilizer

Aim to fertilize Easter lilies two to three times a growing season, beginning five or six weeks after you plant the bulbs, once the roots have been established. Pollak recommends using a balanced fertilizer, such as a 5-5-5 mix, to encourage growth. 

Types of Easter Lily

The most common type of Easter lily is Lilium longiflorum “Nellie White.” Growers usually force this cultivar to bloom around spring rather than during the summer months. Other types of Easter lilies include: 

• White Heaven, a pure white Easter lily
• Deliana, a yellow or green cultivar
• Elegant Lady, a pink cultivar 
• Trimphator, a white cultivar with a pink center

Pruning

Once they’ve grown, Easter lilies don’t usually need pruning because they bloom from just one, strong stem. The only exception is if the plant gets too much water or not enough. “You might get bottom leaves turning yellow with water extremes, so you can just pull those off if you see them,” Pollak says. 

Propagating

Easter lilies are propagated from bulbs. Two or three years after planting them in your garden, you can divide your Easter lilies by moving the smaller bulbs surrounding the mother bulbs. “Dividing them allows the bulbs to create a root system and build strength to produce their own flowers,” says Pollak. 

Growing from Seeds

Easter lilies can be grown from seeds, but Pollak says it’s much more common to use bulbs. Plan to plant Easter lily bulbs either in the fall, a few weeks before the first frost date for your area, or in the early spring, when the ground is workable. Bury the bulbs about six inches deep, or about twice the depth of the bulb.

Growing in Pots

It’s possible to plant Easter lilies in pots, but they generally prefer to be grown in gardens, where their roots are more insulated from extreme weather conditions. This is especially true in colder climates, Pollak says, where the ground is more likely to provide necessary insulation when it’s freezing. 

Overwintering

If you live in a cooler climate with harsh winters, such as the midwest, you’ll need to move your potted Easter lilies indoors to avoid freezing. Consider adding straw or mulch to keep the roots warm, and use a large pot so they have more insulation in the soil. 

Common Pests/Diseases

Easter lilies, and all lilies, are prone to scarlet lily beetles. “If you plant them, they will come,” Cleveland says. Aphids also often infest Easter lilies. Insecticidal soaps or oils can help protect the foliage, or you can rinse pests off with a hose.

When Does It Bloom?

Easter lilies typically start sprouting in the spring and bloom mid-summer, according to Pollak. If you bought a forced lily and replanted it, they need time to re-calibrate and may not bloom until the following summer.