how do I replant and care for Easter lilly in Florida
Growing Easter lilies (Lilium longiforum) outdoors in Florida and getting plants to re-bloom can be challenging. In northern regions of the state where winter freezes and frosts occur annually, temperatures might remain cool enough for the required length of time. The lily requires approximately six weeks of temperatures in the 40s Fahrenheit for plants to bloom again the following year. Most areas of the state do not have cool temperatures for this length of time. Florida gardeners can still grow plants indoors where cooler temperatures can be controlled.
Things You’ll Need:
Rake, Compost, Manure, Peat Moss, Shovel, Mulch, Pruning Shears, Fertilizer
Growing Easter Lilies Outdoors
- 1. Remove all weeds from an area situated in full sun with well-draining soil, as the Easter lily will rot and die if planted in constantly saturated soils.
- 2. Amend the planting site with compost, manure or peat moss, as Florida’s soil has a sandy nature, lacking organic nutrients. Work the organic substances into the soil to a depth of approximately 6 inches.
- 3. Dig a hole that is as deep and wide as the Easter lily is growing inside its container. Remove the lily from its container and gently spread the roots with your hands, helping them spread through the new planting site.
- 4. Place the lily into the hole and cover with soil, firming it up around the plant’s base.
- 5. Install approximately a 2-inch layer of mulch around the plant. This will help the soil retain moisture, as Florida’s soil can be dry, and it cuts down on weed growth.
- 6. Water after planting and continue watering when the soil feels dry. Easter lilies grow best in moist, well-draining areas.
- 7. Prune the lily’s foliage back to the ground once it has died and new foliage will soon appear. If your area of Florida does not achieve the desired cooler temperatures, plants may only produce foliage without blooms.
- 8. Fertilize after the lily blooms with a time-release fertilizer applied approximately every six weeks, according to package directions.
Growing Easter Lilies Indoors
- 1. Remove any plastic wrappings surrounding the container holding the Easter lily. This wrapping is for decorative purposes only and traps water inside the container, causing the bulbs to rot and die.
- 2. Place the container in an area of your Florida home that receives bright, indirect light and away from air conditioning or heat vents, for proper growth. Optimal daytime, indoor temperatures for growing Easter lilies is between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 3. Place the lily container into a sink and water until it runs from the bottom drain holes, saturating the soil. Water the lily only when the soil feels dry. Stick your finger into the soil and if the top inch feels dry, water the lily.
- 4. Prune off any dead blooms after they have yellowed and withered.
- 5. Fertilize the lily after the blooming stage with a time-release fertilizer applied every six weeks. Apply the fertilizer according to package directions.
To Replant
- 1. Cut away the last bloom after it has withered.
- 2. Place the pot in a sunny windowsill and continue to water the plant when the soil gets dry.
- 3. Fertilize the plant every six weeks with a slow-release fertilizer.
- 4. Prepare an area of your garden that has rich, well-drained soil where you will transplant the Easter lily after the threat of frost has passed. Easter lilies prefer full sun.
- 5. With your trowel, dig a hole 3 inches below ground level and carefully drop the plant into it. Mound an additional 3 inches of dirt on top of the bulb. Carefully spread the plant’s roots around the bulb. Make sure there are no air pockets between the bulb and roots; work additional soil in between them if necessary.
- 6. Water the plant immediately.
- 7. Cut the stems back to the ground as the original growth dies off.
- 8. Fertilize the plant with bulb fertilizer or blood meal in the fall and add a layer of mulch to protect the bulb over the winter.
- 9. Remove the mulch in the spring to allow new shoots to grow.
- 10. Wait until late spring or summer for your Easter lily to bloom again. Keep in mind that the plant might not bloom the very next year. Transplanted bulbs sometimes need a year to recover from the shock of being moved. But they will return to a normal bloom cycle.
