3. How to Plant Lilies
Lilies require plenty of sunlight to grow and flower, with 6 to 8-hours of sun a day the minimum benchmark — plants that don’t receive enough sunlight end up with soft, under-supportive stems that buckle under the weight of the flowers.
Lilies do well in moderate to cold climates, with the Northern States providing the best environment for growth. Start your planting by assessing and fertilizing the soil. Improve the soil drainage by adding mulch and rotted organic matter. After a brief resting period of 3-weeks, it’s time to plant your bulbs.
Loosen the topsoil to a depth of between 12 to 15-inches. Planting deep allows the roots to spread wider to accommodate large flowers, eliminating the need for staking. Always plant to a minimum depth of three times the width of the bulb, with the pointed side facing upwards. Deep planting also ensures that the roots stay cool when it’s hot outside.
After planting, cover the bulb with topsoil and gently press down on the soil to pack. Space bulbs 8 to 20-inches apart and plant in clusters of 5-bulbs for best effect. Water thoroughly, and let nature do the rest of the work.