Whether grown from seeds and placed in the living room or planted as bulbs in the garden - lilies are popular. But despite all the exotic appearances, the question quickly arises: Are these plants perennial?
Are lilies perennial plants?
Are lilies perennial plants? Lilies are perennial and hardy, thanks to their robust bulbs that survive in the ground. They can be cared for both in the garden and in the home and will bloom every year if cared for properly.
The onion survives in the soil
Lilies form a bulb in the soil. It collects the plant's strength and survives the winter. It sprouts again in spring. Thanks to their robust bulbs, lilies are perennial. Even indoors, with good care, lilies can bloom every summer for many years.
Keep your strength and don't steal it
In order for the onion to remain powerful, it must be well supplied with nutrients. When the lily fades in late summer, it is weak. The onion draws nutrients from the leaves and stems until autumn in order to survive the winter undamaged and be able to sprout again.
For this reason, the above-ground parts of the plant should not be cut down too early. Only when they have yellowed or dried out should they be shortened to the ground. It is also advisable to cut off the withered inflorescences so that no energy has to be invested in seed formation.
Most lilies are hardy
Many lilies come back more magnificent than last year, provided they are hardy and given proper care. Here are the most famous lilies that are considered hardy in this country:
- Tiger Lily
- Fire Lily
- Oriental Lily
- Trumpet Lily
- Turkish Lily
- Royal Lily
- Panther Lily
Under what circumstances should lilies be overwintered?
Since most types of lilies are hardy, they do not necessarily need to be overwintered. The exception are lilies that are in a rough location and lilies in pots, for example in front of the gazebo, on the balcony or terrace.
Lilies are best overwintered like this:
- cut down to the ground in autumn
- Lilies outdoors: cover with humus, mulch, brushwood
- Lilies in pots outdoors: wrap with jute sack, place on Styrofoam plate
- Dig up sensitive lilies and place bulbs in soil or sand in the pot, for example
- Overwintering quarters: 0 to 5 °C
- Earth must not dry out
- make sure there is good drainage
Tips & Tricks
Lilies in the living room should also be placed in a cooler place such as the basement to overwinter. But first, all above-ground plant parts are cut down.
