Grow lilies in pots by choosing a deep, free-draining container, planting each bulb at the depth its rooting habit requires, and keeping the compost moist but never waterlogged. Most lilies grow well in containers; tall varieties need a stable pot and may need staking. After flowering, keep watering while the leaves are green, then give the bulbs cool winter conditions suited to your climate.
Choose lilies that suit your pot and space
Almost all lilies (Lilium) can grow in containers. The Royal Horticultural Society lists species such as Lilium auratum, L. formosanum, L. longiflorum and L. speciosum, as well as short-growing Asiatic hybrids and the Pixie series. Choose according to the pot’s depth, the space available and the height you want; no one group is best for every container. RHS: Lilies growing in containers
- Compact lilies: Short-growing varieties are easier to place on a patio or balcony and generally need less support.
- Tall lilies: Give them a large, heavy pot so it is less likely to tip, shelter them from strong wind and stake them if needed.
- Check the compost requirement: Most lilies suit multipurpose or John Innes No. 3 compost, but lime-hating species such as L. auratum and L. speciosum need ericaceous compost.
Buy firm bulbs and plant them soon after purchase so they do not dry out. Early autumn is the ideal planting time according to the RHS, although spring planting is also possible.
Choose a deep pot with good drainage
Use a deep container with plenty of drainage holes. Lilies need room for their roots, and waterlogged compost can cause bulb problems. For tall plants, a heavy container also provides stability. The RHS suggests a 5 cm drainage layer in clay pots; plastic pots may not need one if their drainage holes are raised off the bottom. RHS: How to grow lilies
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- Height: 24-36" - Bloom Time: Summer
- Bulb size: 14/16cm - Hardiness zone: 3-9
- Planting time: Spring
- Fragrant blooms!
Pot size and bulb count are practical guidelines rather than a universal formula:
| Bulbs and display | RHS container guidance |
|---|---|
| One large bulb, 10–12 cm in diameter | 20–23 cm diameter pot |
| Three to four smaller bulbs, 5–8 cm in diameter | 23–25 cm diameter pot |
| Three bulbs for a larger display | 35 cm pot, as a useful example in the RHS general guide |
Leave about 5 cm between each bulb and the pot edge. These examples do not replace checking the depth and space your chosen variety needs.
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Prepare the compost and plant at the right depth
For most lilies, use quality peat-free multipurpose compost or peat-free John Innes No. 3. Add horticultural grit if needed to improve drainage. Use peat-free ericaceous compost for lime-hating lilies such as L. auratum and L. speciosum. The RHS container guide recommends controlled-release fertilizer at planting; follow the fertilizer label for application. RHS container guidance
Plant with the bulb’s basal plate and roots pointing down and its pointed tip facing up. The planting depth depends on whether the lily roots from the bulb base alone or also forms roots on its stem:
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| Rooting habit | Planting depth | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Basal-rooting, or habit unknown | About one bulb-height deep | Asiatic hybrids are an example of basal-rooting lilies |
| Stem-rooting | About two-and-a-half bulb-heights deep | L. formosanum, L. lancifolium and L. longiflorum |
Stem-rooting lilies form roots on the stem above the bulb, so planting them deeper gives those roots room to develop. If you are transplanting a lily that is already growing in a pot, Iowa State University Extension says to plant it at the same depth it was growing in its original pot; that advice concerns an established potted plant, not dormant bulbs. Iowa State University Extension: Growing Lilies in Iowa
If a tall lily will need support, insert its stake when planting. Adding one later risks damaging the bulb.
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Water and feed through the growing season
Keep the compost moist, not wet. When spring growth begins, check it regularly and water when the compost is dry a few centimetres below the surface. Drainage matters: do not let the pot sit in water.
The RHS general growing guide recommends liquid high-potassium feed every two weeks during the growing season to support flowering in future years; follow the product label. After flowers fade, you can deadhead by cutting just below each faded flower. Continue watering and feeding while the foliage remains green, because the leaves need to die back naturally. Cut dead stems down to ground level only after they have died back. RHS: How to grow lilies
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- PLANTING FOR BEST RESULTS: Plant in the spring. Plant in full sun to partial shade, and in soil that is moist but drains well. Grows great in zones 3-10.
Overwinter bulbs according to your local climate
In mild areas, many lilies can remain outdoors in a large container, preferably sheltered from excessive winter rain. In colder areas, or for tender types, move the pot to a light, frost-free place such as a cool greenhouse or cold frame. A particularly cold location may call for a frost-free shed or protection around the container. Keep winter compost just moist and avoid waterlogging. Lilies need cool winter conditions to flower well, so a warm indoor room is not suitable. The RHS guidance is UK-oriented; adjust protection to your local winter conditions. RHS: Lilies growing in containers
Repot or move the bulbs after dormancy
Once the foliage has died back in autumn, repot the bulbs or transfer them to the garden. A large container can be used for a second season; refresh its top 5 cm of compost with fresh compost. If you are planting bulbs into the garden, follow the depth guidance for the bulb’s rooting habit rather than treating it like an already-grown potted lily.
Do not assume every florist lily is a hardy garden bulb
Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) are often greenhouse-forced and sold as seasonal potted plants. A florist lily may therefore behave differently from a lily established as a garden plant; its appearance in a pot does not by itself establish that it will thrive outdoors year after year. North Carolina State University Extension: Lilium longiflorum
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