Lilies are prized for their fragrant blooms and often giant, trumpet-shaped flowers. You can plant lily bulbs in flower beds and containers, and lily plants are the best summer flowers to make your garden bright and colorful.
There are two main types of lily to grow: Oriental lily and Asiatic lily. Oriental lilies typically have large, fragrant pink flowers. They thrive in acid soils and so should be grown in containers of ericaceous compost. Asian lilies come in more colors, like yellow, orange, red, and almost-black, but they don’t smell like anything and are usually smaller than Oriental types. They do better in alkaline soil, though, and are very hardy, which makes them easier to grow. Just plant the bulbs in the garden or in pots of peat-free multipurpose compost.
Do Lilies Prefer Acidic Soil?
Lilies are prized for their large, showy blooms that come in a wide range of colors. These popular perennials are suited to grow in many climates and soil types. But do lilies actually prefer acidic soil? The answer depends on the specific lily variety. While some thrive in acidic conditions, others do fine in neutral or alkaline soils. Understanding what soil pH lilies like best will help you provide optimal growing conditions.
What is Soil pH?
Before deciding what type of soil is best for lilies, it’s important to understand soil pH This refers to the acidity or alkalinity of soil and is measured on a scale from 1-14. A neutral pH is around 7. Acidic soils fall below 7, while alkaline soils are above 7 The optimal soil pH range varies for different plants. Testing your soil helps determine if the pH needs adjusting.
Acid-Loving Lily Varieties
While lilies are adaptable to various soil types, some species naturally prefer acidic conditions. These include:
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Oriental lilies – Prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. Popular varieties include Stargazer, Casa Blanca, and Sorbonne.
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Tiger lilies – Grow best in acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Known for their speckled orange blooms.
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Asiatic lilies – Require acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. Early bloomers with vivid solid or spotted flowers.
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Some trumpet lilies – Thrive in soil pH around 6.0-6.5. Regale and Golden Splendor lilies need acidic conditions.
For these lilies, it’s ideal to amend the soil with aluminum sulfate or elemental sulfur to lower pH levels. Good drainage is also critical to prevent root rot.
Lilies That Tolerate Neutral/Alkaline Soil
While some lilies need acidic soil, others are quite flexible and adapt well to neutral or slightly alkaline conditions:
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LA hybrids – Tolerate soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5. This group includes the popular ‘Cebeco’ series.
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Martagon lilies – Do well in neutral to alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5. Grow in dappled shade.
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Candidum lilies – Adapt to soil pH ranging from 6.0-7.5. Need good drainage and ample sun.
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Henryi hybrid lilies – Tolerate neutral to slightly alkaline soil around pH 7.0-7.5.
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Speciosum lilies – Adapt to neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Prefer pH around 6.5-7.5.
For these versatile lilies, modifying soil pH is less critical. Focus more on drainage, sunlight, and nutrition.
Adjusting Soil pH for Lilies
If your soil pH falls outside the preferred range for your lilies, take steps to adjust it:
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To lower pH, mix in elemental sulfur, pine needles, coffee grounds, or compost. Use an acid-based fertilizer.
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To raise pH, add lime or wood ash. Use an alkaline fertilizer.
Test soil pH yearly and amend as needed to keep your lilies happy.
Other Lily Growing Tips
In addition to monitoring soil pH, keep these tips in mind:
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Improve drainage by mixing in peat moss or perlite. Lilies dislike wet feet.
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Plant bulbs at proper depth – Asiatics at 4″, Orientals at 6″, etc.
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Allow good air circulation and avoid overcrowding.
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Water deeply when soil surface is dry. Avoid overhead watering.
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Apply all-purpose fertilizer monthly during growing season.
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Dig and store bulbs in winter if needed in cold climates.
When provided with proper soil and growing conditions, lilies will generously reward you with their vibrant blossoms year after year. Pay attention to soil pH needs based on the variety and adjust accordingly. With a little TLC, your lily garden will flourish beautifully.
How to care for lilies
Support tall-growing lilies with a plant support. As plants start to flower feed them with tomato feed every fortnight. This will encourage great flowers and help bulbs to perform well in the following year. Deadhead spent blooms to prevent the bulb wasting energy on seed production. The only exception to this is if you’re growing martagon lilies, which happily self-seed.
Never cut flowering stems right back to soil level. Just remove the top third. Leave the stems in place until they have gone brown as they will provide energy for the bulb. This rule also applies when growing for cutting.
Move pot-grown lilies to a shaded spot after flowering.
Lily expert Sarah Hyde talks about three important rules for taking care of lilies in this video guide called “Golden Rules.” The video has the following IDs: “f9f9cdbab166d8ef3c4062408e92e235060f5d9a” Mix ID: “” Player ID: “qAUyOzk5” If the player doesn’t show up in a few seconds, the Player ID or Licence Key (set in IM Green Video settings) might not be valid.
When to plant lily bulbs
Lilies can be planted from late autumn until early April. They come in bulbs (choose big, firm bulbs), but in the summer you can also find them in pots at the garden center.
Potted lilies must have at least 12cm of soil above the bulb. Bulbs will benefit from extra winter protection if planted deeper. Plant lily bulbs 15 cm apart and three times as deep as the bulb’s height as a general rule.
Acidic Soil Plants List
FAQ
Can lilies grow in acidic soil?
Do lilies like sun or shade?
What not to plant with lilies?
Do lilies like to be in pots or ground?