Easter lily
(Lilium longiflorum)

The Easter lily is native to the southern islands of Japan and come by their name because of their shape (like Gabriel’s trumpet; another resurrection motif), color (white, symbolizing purity), and because they grow from bulbs, consequently seem to spring from the earth unbidden after the long months of winter.

Indoor care
Easter lilies prefer moderately cool temperatures. Recommended daytime temperatures are 60 to 65°F with slightly cooler night temperatures. Avoid placing plants near drafts, and avoid exposure to excess heat or dry air from appliances, fireplaces or heating ducts. Place the Easter lily in bright light, but out of direct sunlight. They prefer moderately moist, well-drained soil. Must be holes at the bottom of the pot for water drainage and place a saucer underneath the pot. Water the Easter lily when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch. Water the plant thoroughly until water flows out the bottom of the pot. Discard the excess water than drains into the saucer. Remove the flowers as they wither. After flowering, the Easter lily can be discarded or saved and planted outdoors in the perennial garden.

Outdoor care
When the lily blossoms are starting to fade and after the last flower has withered, cut it off and keep the plant growing indoors (give it a sunny position and water thoroughly when it slightly dry) until the weather allows it. They don’t survive inside as a houseplant but they can be planted in the gardenafter the danger of frost has passed. There they should bloom again. Remove the plant from the container and loosen the root system. Place the bulb in a 6-8” deep, well-drained bright sunny spot and water immediately after planting. Lilies like their “feet in the shade and heads in the sun”, therefore mulch at least 2” deep. It is important to let the leaves and stems wither and die back . Once they turn brown, cut off the stems of the plant and wait for new growth to begin. If you have luck it will flower in July or August. Normally it will bloom next year around June-July.

Fertilizing
Fertilize when the new shoots arrived until flowering monthly with an 8-8-8 or you can use also a slow release fertilizer in the spring.

Propagate
You can propagate them by dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets), by dividing the bulb's scales. Also from the seeds, let the pods dry on plant and break open to collect the seeds. Sow them indoors before last frost.

Hardiness
The Easter lily is hardy in the zone 7-9 but they are not reliably hardy. To improve your chances for over wintering success, mulch the plants with at least 4" of straw in the fall. Another option is to dig the bulb in the fall and store indoors the same way we do other tender bulbs such as cannas.