Lilies: growing in containers / RHS Gardening (2024)

Ideally plant in early autumn, although bulbs can be planted until spring.

Lilies can also be forced into flower for an indoor display. Bulbs commonly sold for forcing include Asiatic hybrids, L. auratum, L. longiflorum and L.speciosum.These bulbs will have been kept in a cool environment in order to flower without natural winter chill being necessary. Forcing involves bringing the pot into the warmth of the house or heated greenhouse, for flowering around six weeks after planting.

Gardener, blogger and allotmenteer Bryony Willis, shows you how to grow lilies in containers for a stunning summer display.

Preparing the container

Place a 5cm (2in) layer of drainage material, such as crocks or small stones, in the base of clay pots before beginning to fill with potting compost. Plasticcontainers may not need this ‘crocking’ if their drainage holes are raised off the bottom of the container.

Planting density

Plant single large bulbs (10-12cm (4-5in) diameter) into 20-23cm (8-9in) diameter containers, or plant three to four smaller bulbs (5-8cm (2-3in) diameter) into 23-25cm (9-10in) diameter containers. Allow 5cm (2in) between bulbs and use only deep containers.

Planting depth

Some lilies, such as the Asiatic hybrids, root from the base of the bulb only. Others, including L. formosanum, L. lancifolium and L. longiflorum, produce roots not just from the base of the bulb but also from the stem just above the bulb – these lilies may need a deeper container.

Plant basal-rooting lilies (or those whose habit is unknown) at a depth equal to the height of the bulb. Plant stem-rooting lilies at a depth roughly two-and-a-half times the height of the bulb.

The bulbs should be planted with their basal plate (which has hair-like roots hanging down from it) facing downwards, and the pointed tip of the bulb scales pointing upwards.

Compost

Although any good multipurpose compost is suitable, soil-based John Innes composts are easier to manage in terms of watering and feeding. John Innes No 3 is recommended for most lilies. If it appears too dense add 20 per cent by volume each of horticultural grit and peat-free multi-purpose compost or leaf mould to improve drainage.

Some lilies are lime-haters (e.g. L. auratum and L. speciosum), and should be potted into pure ericaceous compost. John Innes ericaceous compost is recommended.

Lilies are heavy feeders, so add granules of a controlled-release fertiliser when planting.

Ensure the compost is moist at all times, but not wet. Feed with a high potassium liquid fertiliser such as tomato feed every fortnight during summer.

To speed up flowering (i.e. force the bulbs) move plants to conditions of 18-21ºC (64-68ºF) when shoots appear.

After flowering

Re-pot in autumn when the foliage dies down, or transfer bulbs to the garden. In larger containers, lilies can be grown on for a second season in the same pot, but ensure that the top 5cm (2in)of compost is replaced with fresh compost with some added fertiliser or well rotted manure.

Overwintering

Ideally keepcontainers in a cool but frost-free, airy place with strong light, such as a well-ventilated cold greenhouse or frame.

In southern England many lilies will be fully hardy and can be left outside in largercontainer year round. It may, however, be necessary to wrap thecontainers in winter with bubble polythene in cold areas to protect against frost. In very cold areas, or where tender lilies are grown, keepcontainersin frost-free sheds until spring.

To guard against waterlogging, standcontainersin the rain shadow of a wall or keep in an unheated greenhouse or in a shed.

Lilies usually need cool winter conditions if they are to flower well, so indoor conditions are not suitable over winter.

Redlily beetle is one of the main pests affecting lilies, but they can also suffer from grey mould and slug and snail damage.