In northern climates, the fragrant flowers won’t appear until mid-summer.
Here is how to plant an Easter lily outside.
Warning
Easter lilies can be toxic to cats.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Easter Lily Symbolism
Easter lilies symbolize Easter due to their showy, white flowers.
Symbolically speaking, white represents purity and rebirth, which are key themes of the Easter holiday.
Native to Japan, specifically the Ryukyu Islands, Easter lilies first landed in Bermuda.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
There, it was commonly called the “Bermuda lily.”
Below are some tips for planting Easter lilies outside.
There should beno lingering threat of frost, and the ground should be workable.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Where to Plant
Pick a spot thatreceives full sunand has good drainage.
How to Plant
Acclimate your Easter lily to the outdoors before planting it.
Read on below to learn more about how to care for Easter lilies.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Water
Water your Easter lilies enough to keep the soil evenly moist.
Remember that a living bulb is underground even after the leaves have turned brown.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your Easter lilies with a bulb orall-purpose fertilizerwhen planting if you wish.
However, proper fertilization may increase your plant’s lifespan.
Pruning
Prune your Easter lilies once the leaves start to brown.
This typically occurs during the summer.
These beetles can defoliate a plant and kill it.
Pick off these beetles by hand or sprayneem oilon your plants at the first sign of an infestation.
With proper care when planted outside, Easter lilies will return annually, depending on the hardiness zone.
Most of these bulbs are hardy to USDA zone 5 or -20 degrees Fahrenheit for a short time.
However, they need winter protection, like mulch, to protect the bulb.
When cared for and maintained correctly, Easter lilies will spread or multiply each year.
Sometimes, Easter lilies bloom a second time during the year, around October.
Otherwise, they bloom again the following June.
Lovely Lilies and Curious Cats: A Dangerous Combination,U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, 2021.
What Can I Do to Protect My Lilies From Lily Leaf Beetles?University of New Hampshire Extension, 2018
