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Lily Bulbs Planting Guide
One look at these radiant blooms, and you'll quickly understand why they've been a favorite of many for more than 3,000 years. Lilies boast breathtaking flowers in an astounding array of sizes, colors, and forms that are excellent for cutting and exhibit delightful fragrances. Take part in a tradition that extends back to almost 1000 B.C. by growing Lilies in your garden! We'll even help you get started with this helpful planting guide!
Success Snapshot
PLANTING
DEPTH
Species dependent; 4-6"
WATER
QUANTITY
Moderate
SUNLIGHT
QUANTITY
Full to Partial Sun
PLANTING
PROXIMITY
Species dependent; 8-18"
BLOOM
SEASON
Late Spring through Summer
HARDINESS
ZONES
Species dependent; Zones 4-9
Shop Related Products
Lilium - LA Hybrid Lily Arbatax (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium asiatic (LA) 'Arbatax'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - LA Lily Hybrid Corleone
$3.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium asiatic (LA) 'Corleone®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - LA Hybrid Lily Forza Red
$5.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium asiatic (LA) 'Forza Red'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - Oriental Lily Fragrant Mix
$14.95
Contains: 12 Lily bulbs mix
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Oriental Lily Stargazer
$7.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental 'Stargazer®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Jisca
$9.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid 'Roselily Jisca®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Isabella
$9.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid 'Roselily Isabella®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - Trumpet Lily African Queen
$4.95
Contains: 1 Lily bulb
Botanical Name: Lilium 'African Queen'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Mix
$39.95
Contains: 12 Lily bulbs mix
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid Roselily Mix
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - LA Hybrid Lily Heartstrings
$12.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium asiatic (LA) 'Heartstrings'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - Asiatic Lily Bright Diamond
$7.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'Bright Diamond'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - Oriental Lily Rio Negro
$4.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental 'Rio Negro®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Oriental Lily Casa Blanca
$5.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium 'Casa Blanca', syn. 'Casablanca'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Lilium - Oriental Lily Pink & White Profusion Collection
$16.95
Contains: 6 Lily bulbs mix
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Wild About Tiger Lily Mix
$10.95
Contains: 6 Tiger Lily bulbs mix
Botanical Name: Lilium tigrinum
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Amacrinum - Crinodonna Lily (Fragrant)
$11.95
Contains: 1 Crinum bulb
Botanical Name: Amaryllis crinum, syn. Amacrinum
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 7-10
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Ciara
$9.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid 'Roselily Ciara®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - Oriental Lily Playtime
$8.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental 'Playtime®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - LA Lily Hybrid Beau Soleil
$4.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium asiatic (LA) 'Beau Soleil'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - Trumpet Lily Golden Splendor
$4.95
Contains: 1 Lily bulb
Botanical Name: Lilium 'Golden Splendor', syn. 'Golden Splendour'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Anouska
$10.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid 'Roselily Anouska®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - Oriental Lily Sorbonne
$11.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental 'Sorbonne'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Oriental Lily Distant Drum (Double)
$14.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental 'Distant Drum'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Lilium - Oriental Lily Soft Music (Double)
$14.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental 'Soft Music'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Lilium - Orienpet Lily Zelmira
$9.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium orientalis (OT) 'Zelmira'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Asiatic Lily Giraffe
$4.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'Giraffe'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - Orienpet Lily Conca D'Or
$9.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium orientalis (OT) 'Conca D'Or'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Asiatic Tango Lily Orange Art
$9.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'Orange Art®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - Trumpet Lily Regale
$4.95
Contains: 1 Lily bulb
Botanical Name: Lilium 'Regale'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - Trumpet Lily Pink Perfection
$4.95
Contains: 1 Lily bulb
Botanical Name: Lilium 'Pink Perfection'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - Trumpet Lily Big Band Collection
$18.95
Contains: 4 Trumpet Lily bulbs mix
Botanical Name: Lilium
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Lilium - Asiatic Lily Globe
$7.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'Globe'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - Oriental Lily Polar Star (Double)
$14.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental 'Polar Star'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
Lilium - Asiatic Tango Lily Tasmania
$7.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'Tasmania®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - LA Hybrid Lily Easter Bonnet
$7.95
Contains: 3 Asiatic Lily LA Hybrid bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium asiatic (LA) 'Easter Bonnet'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun; Bright Direct Indoors
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Lilium - Orienpet Lily Saltarello
$11.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium orientalis (OT) 'Saltarello'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Candidum Madonna Lily (Fragrant)
$8.95
Contains: 1 Madonna Lily bulb
Botanical Name: Lilium candidum
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Lilium - Orienpet Lily Red Desire
$11.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium orientalis (OT) 'Red Desire'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Orienpet Lily Candy Club
$7.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium orientalis (OT) 'Candy Club'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Corolla
$12.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid 'Roselily Corolla®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Natalia
$12.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid 'Roselily Natalia®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - Ready to Tango Collection
$34.95
Contains: 15 Tango Lily bulbs, mixed colors
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic Tango hybrids
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - Orienpet Lily Flavia
$11.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium longiflorum x Lilium orientalis (OT) 'Flavia'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Lorena
$12.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid 'Roselily Lorena®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - Oriental Roselily Sascha
$12.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium oriental hybrid 'Roselily Sascha®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 3-10
Lilium - Oriental Lily Gold Band
$4.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium auratum 'Gold Band'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
Lilium - Asiatic Lily Dark Secret
$4.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'Dark Secret'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - Asiatic Tango Lily Lionheart
$4.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'Lionheart'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - Asiatic Tango Lily London Heart
$4.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'London Heart®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Lilium - Asiatic Tango Lily Pink Brush
$6.95
Contains: 3 Lily bulbs
Botanical Name: Lilium asiatic hybrid 'Pink Brush®'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-9
Where to Plant
While Lilies are remarkably easy to grow in the ground and in containers, plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil will make them happiest. If you notice puddles of water 5–6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site or amend the soil with organic material to raise the level 2–3 inches. They also fancy areas that are sheltered from high winds.
When to Plant
Lilies can be planted in the fall or early spring and tend to bloom from early summer to fall, depending on the variety. In many regions, Lilies are best planted in the fall at least four weeks before the ground freezes. These stunning plants favor cool soil, so for those planting in early spring, be sure to start when the ground is workable but not muddy.
How to Plant
- For outdoor landscape planting, find a full sun location that provides shelter from high winds and dig holes 8–18" apart. Place the bulbs with their tops 4–6" below the soil surface and the slightly pointy end facing up.
- For container planting, choose a container with adequate drainage holes that's large enough to accommodate your plant's mature size and fill it with good quality, well-drained soil. Dig holes and plant your Lilies close to each other with hips roughly 4" apart. Tuck them down 4–6" inches into the soil with the bulbs' pointy part facing upwards.
- Water thoroughly, soaking the soil to settle it around the bulbs.
How to Grow
- Water as needed during active growth periods; about 1" of moisture per week is a fair estimate.
- Apply mulch around the plant to keep the roots cool and moist, but not wet, during active growth.
- Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every couple of weeks from planting until roughly 6 weeks after flowering.
- Leave the foliage in place after blooming has finished for the season. The leaves will gather sunlight to create food through photosynthesis, strengthening the bulb for the future.
- Remove foliage and decrease watering when the leaves turn yellow and die back as your Lilies slip into dormancy.
Lily Tips & Tricks
- Amend soil with the addition of compost, finely ground bark, or decomposed manure to raise the level 2–3 inches to improve the drainage.
- Plant shorter Oxalis with Lilies in the same container, as they make good partners and will put on a brilliant display.
- Choose different varieties of Lilies to stretch the blooming season from early summer into early fall.
- Bear in mind that some types of Lilies reseed and expand into large, colorful patches.
- Feel free to snip a few stems while in bloom, as these beauties make lovely cut flowers for bouquets and other arrangements. Cutting will not harm the plants, provided they are given a little fertilizer later in the season to help provide strength for future seasons.
- Purchase your bulbs close to planting time, as Lily bulbs will deteriorate over time.
- Ensure that your Lily bulbs never sit in waterlogged soil, as they will rot.
- Expect roots to grow a week or two after planting and sprouts to emerge the following spring.