Q&A for How to Care for Lilies

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  • Question
    Do I need to deadhead my lilies?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    It is not necessary to deadhead lilies. However, doing so will extend the bloom time and improve the appearance of the plant.
  • Question
    Do lilies need lots of sun?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Lilies can grow in full sun or part sun. They should get between 4-8 hours of sunlight per day.
  • Question
    Can you cut down lilies after they bloom?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Deadhead spent blooms and cut back the foliage in the late fall or spring.
  • Question
    How long is the growing period from planting to flowering?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    This will vary by climate. However, expect that each flower will take between 3 to 10 weeks from planting to flowering.
  • Question
    What do I need to do to take lilies out of the garden and save them to plant the following year?
    Maggie Moran
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
    Home & Garden Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Dig up the roots after blooming has ceased. Then, check the plants for signs of disease or rot and place them on a tray to dry out. Spray or dust them with a fungicide and then put them away to store.
  • Question
    Can lilies regrow after dying?
    Community Answer
    Lilies don't die; they die back. It is just making nutrients for next year. Yes, they regrow.
  • Question
    What are the bulb-like objects that appear when the blooms die off?
    Community Answer
    Those are the "fruit" of a fertilized flower, and eventually become seed pods.
  • Question
    Will the seed pods at the end of the stem make plants?
    Cody Davis
    Community Answer
    If properly planted, fertilized and cared for, they will make plants.
  • Question
    I have been given a Calla Lily. The stalks of both the leaves and flowers are slimy and pull away from the plant. What's wrong?
    Community Answer
    To me, this sounds like root rot. You'll have to dig it up and start over. This happened to my aloe plant. There is no way to save it.
  • Question
    How do I take a cutting from an outdoor trumpet lily?
    Community Answer
    You cannot take a cutting, as they grow from bulbs. Dig up the bulb, and break off a scale from the bulb. Propagate it by placing in a pot of soil. Water it, and eventually a new bulb will grow from the scale. This may take 1 - 3 years.
  • Question
    How do I care for a black star calla lily?
    Community Answer
    Make sure you water them about once a day or at least 5 times a week in the morning, so they dont die.
  • Question
    How can I get my lilies to open?
    Community Answer
    Be patient. Just fertilize them lightly and water them when they're dry; they cannot handle a lot of water though, so be careful not to over-water them. Every few years, you can dig them up and add more lilies to your garden by splitting the bulbs.
  • Question
    Do I need to bring my lily plants in when winter comes? They're in a large tub, can I just put them in the green house and water them when needed?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can put the lily plants in the greenhouse, just make sure to water them every day.
  • Question
    My lilies have bloomed. Do I cut off dead flowers, and what about the bulb left?
    Community Answer
    You should leave the bulbs alone, as they can still bloom.
  • Question
    Should I cut them after they bloom?
    Community Answer
    You can cut them after they bloom, and they may grow back again in the future.
  • Question
    Why are my lilies turning brown on the bottom?
    Community Answer
    It can be a sign of rotting. Make sure the soil is moist, not wet, and don't give them too much water at the end of the season when they're dying back.
  • Question
    After my lilies bloom, can I cut them to the ground?
    Community Answer
    No, this will stop the plant from getting energy for next year. Once the plant has bloomed, cut back the dead flowers, but keep the leaves. Once the leaves start to die back, you can cut the stem to the ground.
  • Question
    Can I reroot a stem that broke off my lily in water?
    Community Answer
    No; lilies don't root from the stem.
  • Question
    How do I care for a lily in a pot?
    Community Answer
    Keep it outside so it doesn't get fungus and put it in a sunny spot. Not for too long. Make sure the soil is deep as well so the roots don't fill the entire pot. Water when the soil is dry, unless it has a sickness.
  • Question
    When is the best time to plant bulbs?
    Community Answer
    Since bulbs grow well in cool but dry climates, plant it in autumn or winter or any other cold time. Just make sure there's a bit of sun so they don't freeze or get root rot. Don't plant too deep if you are planting in cold weather.
  • Question
    Should I remove lily leaves in the fall?
    Community Answer
    Only if they are brown. Lilies need the green leaves as nutrients for new blooms.
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