Lilyflowerstore/Parry's Tree Farm Garden Blog

Easter Lilies are Perennials

Easter is almost upon us and many of you will be receiving or purchasing these beauties as a potted plant almost in bloom. You might think they are a permanent indoor plant and after blooming discard it. Well, they are not a plant for permanent indoor use and don't throw it away after blooming!

Easter lilies are a Trumpet lily (lillium longiflorum) normally blooming in June or July. Like other gift plants, they are grown under extremely controlled greenhouse conditions (a process called "forcing") and sold in full bloom by florists or garden centers to bloom for the Easter weekend. This process is quite extensive, starting the previous Fall (usually September or October) with bulbs that are grown for three to four years outdoors. They are removed from the outdoor location, sold as bulbs, cooled, then potted and transferred into a green house and grown there with extreme care for three to four months for blooming in time for the Easter holiday. Easter lilies are a perennial bulb and if cared for properly during their bloom period indoors, will produce flowers for years to come.

Once an Easter lily bulb has been forced to bloom indoors, it is very difficult or almost impossible to force the same Easter lily bulb into bloom a second time indoors. An alternative is to plant them outdoors after blooming, where they may bloom again in late summer or fall. The plants will need a site with bright light but some shelter from extreme heat and wind. They are not hardy enough to survive severe winters outside (extreme cold and wet conditions), so don't expect to see them next summer if you leave them out all winter under these conditions. Instead, plant them in a pot and move them inside to a cool, somewhat dark location for the winter. Keep the planted bulb from freezing over an extended period of time.
Read more about Easter Lilies and lily care...