How to Propagate Easter Lily for Never-Ending Blooms

The Easter lily is a bulb that is planted in the spring or fall, depending on your climate, and is treated as a perennial in zones 4 to 8. It typically blooms in summer, filling gardens with its beautiful white flowers and lush green foliage, making it a favorite amongst gardeners. After a few years of growth, the Easter lily can be dug up and propagated to create even more plants that you can add back to your garden or share with loved ones. Easter lily is typically propagated from bulblets or scales, and will mature to blooming size in about three to five years. Ahead, horticulturists share their tips for propagating Easter lilies two ways.

When to Propagate Easter Lily

The best time to propagate Easter lily is in late summer to early fall, after the plant has bloomed and its foliage begins to die back. "This allows the plant to photosynthesize throughout the growing season to promote a strong plant the following year," says Cynthia Domenghini, instructor of horticulture and natural resources at Kansas State University. "In cold winter areas, bulbs are removed from the ground prior to frost to prevent freezing, and this is a perfect time to propagate."

How to Propagate Easter Lily From Bulblets

One of the most effective ways to propagate Easter lily is by its bulblets that form along the underground portion of the stem. Follow these steps from Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist for Iowa State University, to replicate Easter lily from its bulblets:

1. Dig the Easter lily out of the ground in late summer to early fall.
2. Remove excess soil to find the tiny bulblets along the stem or at the base of the bulb.
3. Gently separate the bulblets. They may easily break off or they may need to be pulled off.
4. Plant the small bulblets about 1 inch deep in small containers filled with well-draining, humus potting mix.
5. A single leaf (sometimes a small rosette of leaves) will emerge.
6. The following fall, remove the bulbs from their containers and plant them in the garden about 4 to 6 inches deep. They will bloom in about three to four years.

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How to Propagate Easter Lily From Scales

Another way to propagate Easter lily is to use the scales, large fleshy leaves that resemble an artichoke or garlic bulb without the papery covering, says Steil. The scales can be separated from the main bulb and planted in a container with vermiculite. Here's how he says to do it:

1. Dig the Easter lily out of the ground in late summer to early fall.
2. Peel the outer ring of scales off individually.
3. Fill a plastic bag with damp vermiculite and place the scales inside.
4. Place the bag in a dark area kept at 70 degrees Fahrenheit for six to eight weeks. During this time, new bulblets will form, and the scales will wither away.
5. Once the scale is about pea-size, place the bag in the refrigerator at 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for about eight weeks. This helps the bulblets overcome dormancy.
6. In spring, plant the bulblets outside where they can be allowed to grow and increase in size until they are blooming size, which takes about three to five years.

Caring for Your Propagated Easter Lily

After propagating Easter lily, ensure the plant receives ample sunlight, moderate water, and that the soil is well-draining. "Check the top inch of soil to see if it feels dry before watering," says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University, adding that the soil should be consistently moist, but not soggy.

Depending on your soil conditions, lilies can be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season, Domenghini notes. She also recommends protecting the plants from strong winds and using a mulch layer to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Propagating Easter lilies is relatively straightforward, but there are some mistakes to avoid to ensure success.

• Propagating too early: Digging the plants up too early in the season will limit the development of the bulb and bulblets and potentially inhibit flowering the following year, Domenghini warns. Weak bulbs may have more problems with combating diseases and pests.
• Too much water: The soil should be kept moist, but not waterlogged. "Too much will cause the bulb to rot, caused by a fungus. Using sterile, well-drained soil is important," says Domenghini.
• Not placing the bulbs deep enough: Shallow planting creates weak stems or bulbs that dry out, says Langelo. "It is important to know that Easter lilies have basal roots and stem roots. Without having proper depth in the soil, which is necessary for both types of root systems to develop, the flowering of the Easter Lily is affected," she adds.
• Exposure to disease: Propagating Easter lily from scales can expose the plant to disease and fungal growth. "It is important to start with clean material and keep the vermiculite damp but not wet," Steil says. "Check on them regularly and remove any signs of decay as soon as they are noticed."