Lily bulbs: when and how to plant in the garden or in pots

Fragrant, elegant flowers borne on tall stems… Lily is a star of both garden and terrace. Whether pure white, deep red or bright yellow, it attracts every eye. But to enjoy this spectacular flowering, you must first know how to plant it correctly, whether in ground or in pots. Discover our tips for planting lily bulbs, so they return to beautify your garden each year, more splendid than ever.

When to plant lilies?

Lily bulbs should not be planted at just any time. Two periods are ideal:

In ground, autumn is ideal (between September and November) as soil still warm encourages rooting before winter. By the following spring, bulbs will already be well rooted and ready to flower.
In pots, favour planting in spring, from March to May. Bulbs start quickly and you can monitor watering more easily.

Bear in mind that lily needs time to establish. If planted too late, flowering may be weak the first year.

Planting lily bulbs in ground

Where to plant lilies in ground?

Lily prefers a light, rich and, above all, well-drained soil to avoid waterlogging that causes bulbs to rot. Ideal position is full sun or partial shade (especially in warmer regions) and sheltered from strong winds that could snap flower stems.

Tip: pair lilies with low-growing perennials (hardy geranium, etc.) to dress the base and help protect soil from drying out.

lily bulbs ready to be planted in ground

Steps to plant lily bulbs in ground

Choose a bright location, but not baking hot, and sheltered from wind.
Loosen soil deeply and add well-rotted compost to feed the bulbs.
Dig a hole three times the bulb's height. A 5 cm bulb should therefore be planted 15 cm deep.
Place the bulb point facing upwards, a golden rule to ensure it grows the right way.
Space bulbs 15–20 cm apart.
Cover with soil, firm lightly, then water gently.

Gardener’s tip: in heavy soil, mix garden soil with compost and coarse sand or gravel to avoid waterlogging.

How to plant lily bulbs in pots?

Choose a deep pot (30–40 cm) with drainage holes in the base.
Place a layer of clay pebbles or gravel in the base of the pot to help water evacuation.
Use a rich, light potting compost or prepare a mix: two-thirds potting compost, one-third sand with a little compost. Pour a first layer of this mix until halfway up the pot.
Place the lily bulbs point facing upwards, spacing them a few centimetres apart. Note that bulbs should be planted 10–15 cm deep.
Good to know: plant 3 bulbs in a 30 cm pot and 5–7 bulbs in a 40–50 cm pot.
Cover the bulbs with 10–15 cm of growing medium, firm lightly.
Water sparingly, then place the pot in a bright spot (no scorching sun or partial shade) and sheltered from winds.

Caring for lilies in pots and garden

Once lilies are well established, consider their care. Rest assured, they don't need much work, but a few actions make all the difference.

Watering: keep soil slightly moist, but absolutely avoid excess water which can make lily bulbs rot. In pots, be more attentive as the substrate dries out faster.
Mulching: in ground, apply a layer of organic mulch (leaves, bark, etc.) to retain coolness and limit weeds.
Fertiliser: In pots, apply a liquid feed high in potash every two weeks during growth. In ground, add well-rotted compost or feed when flower buds form.
Staking: use stakes to support flower stems in windy conditions.
Deadheading: remove faded lily flowers as they wilt. This prevents the bulb from wasting energy producing seed.
Foliage: allow foliage to yellow naturally after flowering. Although it loses charm, foliage recharges the bulb for the following year.
Repotting: remember to repot lilies in pots every two to three years.