How to Grow and Care for Asiatic Lily

Asiatic lilies (Lilium Asiatic hybrids) are perennial bulbs that bloom with showy, upright flowers in a variety of colors. Unlike Oriental lilies, which bloom in late summer and are known for their aroma, Asiatic lilies bloom in late spring or early summer and have little to no scent. These hybrid lilies grow best in a location with full sun and moist but well-drained soil. As with all true lilies, Asiatic lilies are toxic to cats and, to a lesser extent, dogs.

Asiatic Lily Care

• Plant Asiatic lilies in a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day in moist, well-drained soil.
• Make sure Asiatic lilies receive one to two inches of water per week.
• Feed Asiatic lilies with a balanced fertilizer in spring.

Light

Plant Asiatic lilies outdoors in a location that receives full or partial sun. These plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Ideally, the upper part of the plant is in full sun with the roots shaded to keep them cool.

Soil

Choose a spot with loose, moist, well-drained soil. These plants prefer slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Prepare beds by adding organic compost to the soil a few weeks before planting. Plant bulbs about six inches deep to keep them cool during the hot summer months.

Water

Water Asiatic lilies regularly, but allow the soil surface to dry out between waterings to keep plants from developing root rot. Give plants at least one inch of water per week. In particularly hot, dry weather, that might mean watering every day or every other day.

Temperature and Humidity

Asiatic lilies can survive winter temperatures as low as -35 degrees Fahrenheit and still come back in the spring. However, the plants might show signs of stress at temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer

Feed established Asiatic lilies with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring. Work the fertilizer into the soil as the first shoots emerge. When planting new bulbs in the fall, add a small amount of fertilizer granules to the planting hole.

Types of Asiatic Lily

• Apricot Fudge (Lilium 'Apricot Fudge'): This striking variety offers a creamy orange color and fragrant, upright blooms.
• Blackstone (Lilium 'Blackstone'): Deep burgundy, almost black petals with a shiny surface contrast with deep orange anthers.
• Forever Susan (Lilium 'Forever Susan'): Plant this two-tone lily to add drama to your garden. Flowers fade from deep orange centers to purple petals with deep yellow edges.
• Sundew (Lilium 'Sundew'): This double lily adds vivid yellow color accented with a splash of dark red freckles. Because this hybrid lacks pollen, it's cleaner in cut flower arrangements.
  

Pruning

Asiatic lilies don't require pruning. When it's stems and foliage are green, leave them on the plant. Allow foliage to die back naturally in winter. When cutting flowers for bouquets, leave at least one-third of the stem on the plant.

Propagating Asiatic Lily

The easiest way to propagate Asiatic lilies is by dividing clumps of lilies. You can do this in early fall or when shoots first emerge in early spring. You'll need a shovel, gardening gloves, and a clean, sharp knife. Here's how to propagate Asiatic lilies by division.

1. If propagating Asiatic lilies in fall, cut back foliage to six inches above the soil line before dividing.
2. Dig around the clump of lilies, getting the shovel beneath the bulbs and lifting up to remove them from the soil.
3. Remove excess soil from the bulbs by shaking the clump gently with your hands or spraying bulbs with water from a hose.
4. Use your hands to pull apart the clump at the roots. Make sure each new clump has at least two sets of leaves and a root system. If necessary, use the knife to cut clumps apart.
5. Plant the bulbs and water well after planting. Keep the soil moist as plants re-establish.

How to Grow Asiatic Lily From Seed

It's possible to grow Asiatic lilies from seed you've purchased or saved from existing plants. However, because they're hybrids, the new plants will likely not resemble the parent plant, and they can take anywhere from three to seven years to flower.

1. In early spring, sow Asiatic lily seeds a few inches apart in a small plant pot filled with potting mix.
2. Place seeds pointy side down on the soil surface, then cover with about half an inch of potting mix.
3. Bottom-water to allow the soil to absorb water from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
4. Enclose the container in a clear plastic bag to hold in moisture and humidity.
5. Place the container in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Water only if the soil surface dries out before the seeds germinate.
6. Give seedlings 14 to 16 hours of bright light per day from a grow light.
7. Harden off seedlings before moving them outdoors.
8. Plant the bulblets in the garden in early fall.

Overwintering

Asiatic lilies planted outdoors in a garden will survive winters in regions as cold as USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 4. Cover plants with an organic mulch like straw or shredded leaves to protect them until spring.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases 

Asiatic lilies can be affected by common plant pests like aphids and diseases like Botrytis blight. Treat aphids—tiny green insects that suck sap from plants and leaves—with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Use an organic fungicide for Botrytis blight, which presents as brown or tan oval-shaped spots on leaves.

How to Get Asiatic Lilies to Bloom

With enough sun, rich soil (or fertilizer), and sufficient water, Asiatic lilies should reward you with abundant blooms. One issue that can affect flowering is lily beds becoming overcrowded as bulbs reproduce. Divide clumps of Asiatic lilies every two or three years to keep plants from crowding each other out.

Bloom Months

Asiatic lilies bloom between late spring and midsummer. Expect flowers in May, June, or July depending on the variety and your growing zone.

How Long Do Asiatic Lilies Bloom?

Asiatic lilies can bloom for up to one month, depending on the variety and conditions in your garden.

What Do Asiatic Lily Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Asiatic lily flowers are upright-facing, six-pointed blooms that come in a variety of bright colors. They often have spots on the inner portion of their petals and stamens that might have a contrasting color. Unlike some other lilies, Asiatic lilies are planted for their appearance rather than their scent.

Deadheading Asiatic Lily Flowers

Once blooms begin to fade, cut back Asiatic lily flowers just above the first pair of leaves below the lowest flower. Leave as much stem and foliage in place as possible.

Caring for Asiatic Lily After It Blooms

Wait until foliage has turned brown in the fall to cut it down. While stems and foliage are still green, they will continue to photosynthesize and store energy into the bulbs for next season. Never remove foliage while its still green.

Common Problems With Asiatic Lily

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellow leaves on your Asiatic lily can be a sign of overwatering, especially if the soil lacks good drainage. Cut back on watering and allow the soil to dry out before watering again. If you suspect drainage issues, you might want to dig up the bulbs in the fall and replant them in a location with better drainage.

Brown Spots on Leaves

Brown spots forming on leaves and flower buds can be a sign of Botrytis blight, which can be treated with an organic copper-based fungicide.

Holes in Leaves

Holes in the leaves of your Asiatic lily can be a sign of lily leaf beetles, a small, red insect that can be difficult to control. Act quickly and hand-remove adult specimens from plants by pushing them off the leaves and into a container of soapy water. Hand-pick egg masses from the undersides of leaves and use neem-based products weekly to kill larvae and repel adult beetles.