The Easter Lily is a bulbous plant which should not be considered as a permanent house plant. Although they are not fully hardy in this area, Easter Lilies frequently survive for many years outdoors in a protected area near the house foundation.

Easter Lilies prefer to be put in a spot with good bright light but not direct hot sun. The soil should be kept moist and the temperature, particularly at night, should be kept cool (60 degrees F.). If you allow the soil to dry out or the temperatures to get too high, the flowers won't last as long as normal. Lasting time in the home is determined by the number of flower buds present when the plant is purchased. Another thing which can be done to prolong the life of blooms is removal of the yellow tips (anthers) from the six stamen as soon as possible after the flower opens.

If you wish to keep the plant after the blooms have faded and dried up, continue the above condition plus regular fertilization until the leaves turn yellow. Then cut the stalk down as short as possible. Don't try to get your Easter Lily to rebloom indoors. When the weather permits (late May) plant the bulb 6 inches deep in a well protected spot, such as near your house foundation and give the plant ordinary flower garden care. A site in full sunlight would be the best.

The bulb will rest until midsummer when green shoots will suddenly appear. By early September you will have Easter Lilies out in your flower garden. If it survives the following winter you can expect it to bloom sometime in July. lt is usually very difficult to get Easter Lily bulbs to bloom in the home, usually the light isn't good enough and the temperatures are too warm.

This page was last updated April 2003

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