Lilium (Lily) Indoor Care: Fragrant Blooms from Bulbs

Lilies bring intoxicating fragrance and elegant trumpets indoors—but they're not long-term houseplants. Most are forced bulbs that bloom once, then need garden planting or a cold period to rebloom. Here's how to enjoy them at their peak.

Types

Asiatic (early, no scent), Oriental (late, heavily scented), Trumpet, and LA hybrids. Colors: white, yellow, orange, pink, red, and bicolors.

Planting Bulbs

Plant in spring or fall. Depth: 4–6 inches for small bulbs, 8–10 inches for large. Use deep pots with drainage. Mix: leaf mold, compost, sand. Add a layer of gravel at the bottom.

Light and Temperature

Bright, indirect light. Cool temperatures (60–65°F / 16–18°C) prolong bloom. Avoid drafts and heating vents.

Water and Feed

Keep soil evenly moist. After buds appear, feed with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Stop after flowering.

After Bloom

Cut spent flowers; let foliage die back naturally to feed the bulb. Plant in the garden in fall, or store bulbs cool and dry for 8+ weeks before forcing again.

Pests

Lily beetles (bright red) devastate foliage. Hand-pick or use contact insecticide. Aphids on buds—spray with soapy water.

Popular Species

L. candidum (Madonna lily), L. longiflorum (Easter lily), L. speciosum, L. lancifolium (tiger lily).