Asiatic Lily Grow Guide: How to Grow and Care for Asiatic Lilies

Asiatic lilies (also called Asiatic hybrid lilies) are showy flowering bulb plants that bloom in early summer with large, star-shaped blossoms in various colors. They are shorter than other types of lilies—growing between two and three feet tall—and produce unscented flowers. Asiatic lilies have a relatively long bloom time (up to one month) and are popular additions to summer flower gardens or cut flower arrangements. In North America, they thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones seven through eleven.

Other lilies include Easter lilies (blooming around March or April), Oriental lilies, and trumpet lilies. Daylilies—from the genus Hemerocallis, rather than true lilies from the genus Lilium—share a similar flower shape.

Other flower bulb plants include tulips, daffodils, and amaryllis.

The Asiatic lily is a bulb plant, so its optimal planting time is in the fall, a few weeks before the first frost. Planting during this period gives the bulbs time to establish healthy root systems before the chill of winter. Once it’s time to plant Asiatic lily bulbs in your climate:

1. 1. Choose the planting site: Asiatic lilies bloom best in full sun, so choose a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day from early spring to late summer. (In partial shade, your plants may not bloom as much and may instead grow more green leaves). In addition, lily bulbs have overlapping scales that can start to rot if they trap in too much moisture, so select a spot with good drainage that dries quickly after heavy rain.
2. 2. Prepare the soil: Asiatic lilies aren’t picky about soil composition—any well-draining soil with organic matter will suit their growth. Some gardeners interested in bouquets prefer growing lilies in a designated cutting garden so they can chop flowers for arrangements during the summer.
3. 3. Dig holes: Before planting, dig holes in each area where you want to plant a bulb, keeping at least eight inches between them. The depth of the hole depends on the bulb; for most Asiatic lilies, bury the plants in a hole three times the length of the bulb. When planting indoors, you won’t have to bury your bulbs as deeply in the soil. Simply create a hole that allows you to half-bury your bulb.
4. 4. Plant and mulch: When planting, place the bulbs pointy-end-up (the end that will sprout leaves) in the holes. Cover the bulb with soil, then add a mulch layer to insulate, discourage weeds, and retain moisture. If you’re planting the bulbs in pots, simply place them pointy-side-up in the pot and half-bury with soil.
5. 5. Water the soil: Water immediately after planting to settle the soil around the new bulbs. Water once a week for about four weeks to encourage root growth before they bloom next year.

Asiatic lily care is relatively straightforward since it is an unfussy plant:

1. 1. Water regularly: Asiatic lilies are averse to dry soil and need between one and two inches of water per week to stay healthy and unstressed. Water their roots to avoid trapping moisture in their leaves and flowers.
2. 2. Fertilize: For the best colorful blooms, fertilize your lilies with a 5-10-10 or 10-10-10 fertilizer in the spring when buds first appear. Many gardeners recommend fertilizing Asiatica lilies every six weeks throughout the growing season for optimal plant health. You can also opt for a single application of slow-release fertilizer.
3. 3. Prune carefully: Lilies can benefit from careful pruning. Since they only bloom once per season, you can remove spent flowers from the stalks (called “deadheading”) to prevent the plant from diverting energy to creating seeds. Avoid removing leaves from lily plants since these continue absorbing sunlight and providing nutrients to the plant.
4. 4. Overwinter: Once the weather starts to become chilly, it’s time to overwinter your lilies to prepare them for the cold season. (Overwintering refers to leaving cold-hardy plants in the ground to continue growing during winter months.) Cut the foliage completely back to the ground, and cover the area with a layer of mulch to insulate them until they produce new growth the following year in early to late spring.
5. 5. Monitor for pests and diseases: Asiatic lilies can be an attractive treat for many pests, including snails, aphids, slugs, red lily beetles, rabbits, voles, groundhogs, and deer. Monitor the plants for foliar damage and use a natural pesticide or wire-mesh cage to protect your lilies. In addition, lilies can be prone to gray mold fungal infections, so ensure your plants have enough circulation and are not trapping moisture.
   

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