How to Grow and Care for Asiatic Lily

Asiatic lilies are perennial bulbs that bloom with showy, upright flowers in numerous colors, such as orange, yellow, red, pink, and white. Unlike Oriental lilies, which bloom for around four weeks in late summer and are known for their aroma, Asiatic lilies bloom in late spring or early summer and have little to no scent.

With star-like blossoms with petals that each span 4 to 6 inches wide, these hybrid lilies have a medium growth rate and 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 dogs to a lesser extent.

Asiatic Lily Care

Here are the basic requirements to care for Asiatic lilies.

• Plant Asiatic lilies in the late summer to early fall to let the bulb establish roots before it grows next spring.
• Plant Asiatic lilies in a location that receives full or partial sun, at least six hours of sunlight daily, in moist, well-drained soil.
• Place Asiatic lilies 8 inches apart and 8 inches deep in the ground.
• Make sure Asiatic lilies receive 1 to 2 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 for Asiatic lilies 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 6 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 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Watering the plants daily or every other day may be necessary in hot, dry weather.

Temperature and Humidity

Asiatic lilies can survive winter temperatures as low as minus 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

Though Asiatic lilies are considered true lilies, they are hybrids, and not like the true lilies such as the golden-rayed lily (Lilium auratum), Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), and Madonna lily (Lilium candidum).

• Forever Susan (Lilium 'Forever Susan'): Two-toned flowers fade from deep orange centers to purple petals with deep yellow edges, adding drama to any garden.
• Apricot Fudge (Lilium 'Apricot Fudge'): This striking variety offers a creamy orange color and fragrant blooms.
• Blackstone (Lilium 'Blackstone'): Deep burgundy, almost black petals with a shiny surface contrast with deep orange anthers.
  
• Sundew (Lilium 'Sundew'): This double lily adds a 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 its 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.

Deadheading these lilies will not spur another bloom and is not necessary. However, if you prefer to tidy up, snip any fading flowers where the petals meet the stem. Once blooms 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.

Propagating Asiatic Lily

You can propagate an Asiatic lily in three different ways using division, bulblets, and scales. Here is how to perform each method:

Division

In the early fall, use a sharp knife to cut back foliage to 6 inches above the soil line. Dig around the clump of lilies, getting the shovel beneath the bulbs and lifting to remove them from the soil. Shake the clump gently to remove excess soil, then 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. Plant the bulbs and water well after planting. Keep the soil moist as plants re-establish.

Bulblets

If you pull up your lilies for dividing and notice bulblets grouped along the portion of the stem that was underground, you can propagate using these small growths formed each year. Carefully remove them from the plant, including any small roots that may have formed. Plant them at twice their own depth in a pot or a prepared nursery bed for at least one year.

Scales

Propagation by scaling is the process of taking pieces from a bulb and planting them underground. Remove four to eight scales near the bulb, then coat both in fungicide. Then, place them in a plastic bag filled with lightly dampened peat moss before storing them at 70 degrees.

Bulblets will grow after six to 12 weeks. When they have grown roots, you can plant them in pots or a nursery bed, where they will become ready to bloom in a year or two.

Potting and Repotting

Asiatic lilies fare well in containers. Find one with holes for drainage, then add potting mix. Plant the bulbs, leaving about 6 inches below the top edge. As a rule of thumb, you should have a container that is 7 inches in diameter for every regular-sized bulb. If you use dwarf bulbs, plant them 2 inches apart. Cover the bulbs with potting mix.

To repot a lily, gently lift it from its old pot, removing any brown or dead leaves and dying roots. Place it in a larger pot with drainage holes, ensuring the bulb is at least 6 inches below the top of the container.

How to Grow Asiatic Lily From Seed

Grow Asiatic lilies from seeds 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 pot filled with potting mix.
2. Place seeds pointy side down on the soil surface, then cover with about 1/2 inch of potting mix.
3. Bottom-water the plants 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 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 daily 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 the red lily leaf beetle. Treat them both with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Botrytis blight is one of the most common diseases to affect Asiatic lilies. The disease shows up as brown or tan oval-shaped spots on the leaves. Basal rot is also a typical infection. Use an organic fungicide to combat these diseases.

How to Get Asiatic Lilies to Bloom

Bloom Months

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

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.

How to Encourage More Blooms

With enough sun, rich soil (or fertilizer), and sufficient water, Asiatic lilies should reward you with abundant blooms. Lily beds become overcrowded as bulbs reproduce, so dividing clumps of Asiatic lilies every two or three years keeps plants healthy. Mix organic matter into the soil when planting for more blooms. Prune spent flowers (but leave the stems intact) to promote healthy blooms next year.

Common Problems With Asiatic Lily

Asiatic lilies are easy to grow and maintain. However, as with any plant, look out for these common signs that your Asiatic lilies may be in distress.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellow leaves on your Asiatic lily signal 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 point to botrytis blight, which can be treated with an organic copper-based fungicide.

Holes in Leaves

Holes in the leaves of your Asiatic lily can indicate 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.

From: thespruce