Do Easter lilies come back every year?

Quick Answer

Easter lilies, also known as Lilium Longiflorum, are popular potted plants that bloom around Easter time. However, they are not perennial plants that come back every year. Easter lilies are annual bulbs that bloom once a year and then die back. New bulbs must be planted each fall to have blooms the following spring. So unfortunately, Easter lilies do not naturally come back on their own year after year.

Do Easter Lilies Bloom More Than Once?

Easter lilies produce gorgeous, large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, yellow or orange. Each bulb generally produces a single stalk with 3-6 flowers that last up to two weeks during the Easter season.

Once the flowers fade, the stalk and leaves will also start to yellow and die back. The bulb will go dormant for the rest of the year until replanted again in fall. So Easter lilies only bloom once per year from a single bulb.

Some commercially grown Easter lilies are forced to bloom a second time later in the year around Christmas by manipulating temperature and light conditions after the initial Easter bloom. But this second bloom is not as vigorous, and the bulb will be spent after that. A natural, healthy Easter lily grows and blooms once a season.

Are Easter Lilies Perennials?

While many popular flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are perennial and come back every year, Easter lilies are not perennial. Lilies have a bulb that goes dormant, which may make them seem like perennials, but most lilies including the Easter lily are not hardy enough to survive winters in the ground across most growing zones.

The Lilium Longiflorum species is native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and naturally grows in subtropical environments. When grown outside their ideal habitat, Easter lily bulbs must be replanted each fall at the correct depth for the winter weather expected. If left in the ground, the bulbs will likely rot over winter.

This makes Easter lilies annual bulbs in most climates, only living for one growing season. To enjoy their blooms each spring, new bulbs will need to be planted the prior autumn.

Ideal Conditions for Easter Lilies

Here are the ideal growing conditions Easter lilies need to thrive:

Sunlight

Easter lilies grow best in full sun, receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is preferable to hot afternoon sun in warmer zones. A spot with some afternoon shade protects the blooms from fading.

Soil

Rich, well-draining soil is ideal. Amend clay heavy soils with compost or peat moss to lighten the texture. Avoid soggy, muddy soil that can rot bulbs.

Temperature

Daytime temperatures of 60-80°F and nights staying above 40°F are preferred during growth and blooming. Easter lilies can tolerate brief light frosts but prolonged freezing temperatures will damage the bulbs.

Water

Keep soil evenly moist but not saturated. Allow the top inch to dry between waterings. Reduce watering once flowering is finished.

Fertilizer

Use a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks while plants are actively growing and blooming. Avoid high nitrogen formulas.

Planting Depth

Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep outdoors. This protects them from freezing and drying out over winter. In pots, plant with tops just below the soil surface.

Hardiness Zones

Easter lilies are considered hardy only in zones 8-10 where ground temperatures don’t drop below 10°F on average. In zones 3-7, they must be grown as annuals and bulbs replanted each year.

How to Get Easter Lilies to Bloom Again

Unfortunately Easter lilies will not naturally bloom again on their own year after year. But here are a few tips to enjoy their blooms longer and get the most out of each bulb:

– Plant new bulbs every fall, spacing 4-6 inches apart. This ensures blooms each spring. Choose the largest, healthiest bulbs available.

– Provide rich, well-draining soil for best growth. Fertilize regularly when actively growing.

– Give them a sunny, protected spot outdoors or plenty of light indoors. Keep soil evenly moist.

– Remove spent flowers but leave the leaves intact until they die back naturally. This allows the bulb to reabsorb nutrients for next year’s blooms.

– After the leaves turn yellow, cut them back and dig up bulbs to store in a cool, dry spot over summer until replanting in fall.

– Easter lilies can be forced to bloom again around Christmas with careful manipulation of temperature and light. But blooms may be less vigorous.

– Hybrid lily varieties related to Easter lilies, like Asiatic lilies, are perennial in some zones and will come back every year. Choose these for reliable repeat blooms.

Overview of Easter Lily Care

Caring properly for Easter lilies during and after blooming allows them to live their full natural lifespan of 1-2 years, even if they only bloom for one season. Here is an overview of their ideal care:

During Growth & Blooming

– Place in bright, indirect sunlight indoors or a sunny protected spot outdoors. Turn pots regularly for even growth.

– Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Water when the top inch is dry.

– Apply balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks. Stop fertilizing once flowering slows.

– Remove spent flowers by snapping or cutting the stem below the faded bloom. Leave the leaves intact.

– Monitor for pests like aphids, thrips and mites. Treat promptly to avoid damage.

After Blooming

– Allow leaves to yellow and die back naturally over 2-3 months. Don’t cut leaves until fully yellowed.

– Reduce watering gradually as leaves yellow but don’t let soil dry out completely.

– When all leaves are dead, cut back the stalk near the soil line. Stop watering the pot.

– Dig up the bulbs and dry in a warm spot out of direct sun for 1-2 weeks.

– Remove soil and peel off outer scales. Discard any damaged or diseased bulbs.

– Store large, healthy bulbs in a breathable bag in a cool, dry spot around 60°F over summer.

Replanting in Fall

– In early fall, take stored bulbs and replant in pots or directly in the ground.

– Prepare a sunny, well-draining location with nutrient rich soil. Amend if needed.

– Plant bulbs 6-8 inches deep outdoors, with tips just below the soil surface in pots.

– Water thoroughly after planting and provide regular water during new growth.

– Shelter pots from harsh weather and freezing temperatures which can damage bulbs.

– Bloom time the following spring will vary based on planting time and variety.

Troubleshooting Issues With Easter Lilies

Easter lilies are quite hardy when cared for properly but may encounter a few problems. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

Not Blooming

If Easter lily plants grow big and green but produce no flowers, it’s likely due to one of these factors:

– Insufficient sunlight – Lilies need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily to bloom. Move to a sunnier location.

– Improper planting depth – Bulbs planted too shallow or too deep will not bloom well. Replant at correct depth.

– Extreme temperatures – Prolonged frost or overheating can prevent flowering. Move pots to sheltered area.

– Excess nitrogen – Too much nitrogen fertilizer produces foliage growth but fewer blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer instead.

– Biological problems – Viruses transmitted by insects like aphids can affect flowering. Control pests promptly.

Leaves Yellowing

If leaves turn yellow and drop prematurely, it’s typically caused by:

– Overwatering – Excess moisture rots bulbs and roots. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.

– Underwatering – Inconsistent water causes stress. Keep soil evenly moist.

– Sunburn – Afternoon sun is too intense. Move to a spot with morning sun only.

– Improper planting depth – Shallow bulbs dry out faster. Replant at proper depth.

– Nutrient deficiency – Lacking nutrients for growth needs fertilizer. Apply balanced fertilizer.

– Disease – Fungal issues like botrytis cause leaves to yellow and die. Improve air circulation and treat disease.

No Reblooming

When Easter lilies don’t bloom again it’s because:

– They are not perennials – Easter lilies are annual bulbs in most climates. You must replant bulbs annually.

– Bulbs weren’t stored properly – Allowing bulbs to dry out or freeze over summer will kill them. Store correctly.

– Weak bulbs were planted – Smaller, less healthy bulbs often don’t rebloom well. Choose large, robust bulbs to plant.

– Forcing for off-season bloom – Blooms greatly suffer from forcing bulbs twice. Discard after first bloom.

– Insufficient light and dormancy – Lilies need proper seasonal signals to set buds again. Manipulate light and temperature.

Alternative Perennial Lilies

While the standard Easter lily is not perennial, there are some other lilies in the Lilium genus that are reliable repeat bloomers:

Asiatic Lilies

Asiatic hybrid lilies are bred from species native to central and East Asia. They are hardy from zones 3-9 and produce brightly colored blooms in early summer. Popular varieties include ‘Tiny Padhye’, ‘Cote D’Azur’, and ‘Mona Lisa’.

Oriental Lilies

Oriental lilies are native to Japan and known for their fragrant, dramatic blooms in late summer. They are hardy from zones 4-9. Some popular hybrids are ‘Casa Blanca’, ‘Muscadet’, and ‘Starlight Express’.

LA Hybrids

LA hybrids are a cross between Asiatic and Oriental lilies, combining hardiness, Repeat blooming, and showy flowers. Examples include ‘Forever Susan’, ‘Eyeliner’, and ‘Silk Road’. They are hardy in zones 4-9.

Trumpet Lilies

Trumpet lilies produce large, trumpet-shaped blooms on tall stems in midsummer. Regale lilies are the most popular hybrid trumpet lily, hardy in zones 4-8. ‘African Queen’ and ‘Golden Splendor’ are other hybrids.

Species Lilies

Various lily species like L. philadelphicum, L. canadense, and L. superbum are native to North America and grow wild across much of the US and Canada. These species are very cold hardy and bloom in mid to late summer, adding natural beauty to gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about Easter lilies:

How long do Easter lilies last?

On average, Easter lilies bloom for 2-3 weeks indoors. Outdoors, blooms may last a little longer, up to 4 weeks in ideal conditions. The flowers fade first, followed by the stem and leaves yellowing.

Should I cut off dead Easter lily flowers?

Yes, you should snip off each flower just below the bloom as it fades. This neatens the plant’s appearance and prevents seed pod formation which diverts energy from the bulb. Leave the stem and leaves intact.

Can you plant Easter lilies outside?

Yes, Easter lilies can be planted in outdoor flower beds and gardens to enjoy their spring blooms outside. Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil. Just be sure to dig up and store the bulbs properly in fall since they aren’t winter hardy in most climates.

How cold hardy are Easter lilies?

Easter lilies are only considered fully hardy in zones 8-10. They can tolerate brief light frosts down to around 30°F but need bulbs dug up and stored during winter in zones 3-7 before the ground freezes over winter.

Should I cut back Easter lily leaves?

No, you should allow the leaves to remain on the stem until they have turned completely yellow. This gives time for the bulb to reabsorb nutrients from the foliage to store energy for next year’s bloom. Only remove once fully yellowed.

Can you plant Easter lily bulbs again?

Yes, you can replant Easter lily bulbs after they have bloomed and gone dormant in fall. Allow them to die back naturally, then dig up the bulbs and store properly over summer until planting again in autumn. Choose only the largest, healthiest bulbs when replanting.

Conclusion

In summary, Easter lilies produce gorgeous spring blooms but will not come back annually on their own in most climates. Their bulbs require digging up each fall and proper storage over winter, then replanting the following autumn to enjoy their flowers again next spring. With good care while growing and after blooming, Easter lily bulbs can thrive for 1-2 seasons before needing to be replaced. Choosing hardy, perennial lily varieties provides an easier alternative for reliable, repeat blooms year after year.