Divide and Transplant Lilies
Lilies are perennial plants that will flourish in the same location for years. However, lily beds will eventually grow overcrowded due to natural reproduction by the plants. Overcrowded plants will weaken, so it's important to know how to divide and transplant lilies. You'll need to dig up and divide your lilies when they start to appear crowded, then transplant some of the bulbs to another site within your garden.
Contents
Steps
Dividing Lilies
- Examine lilies each year to know when they need dividing. Lilies need to be divided if they show an abundance of short and spindly stems.
- Separate lilies in the fall, 3 to 4 weeks after flowering is completed. You can harm the bulbs and roots if you separate lilies prior to flowering.
- Use a garden fork to dig under and around lily clumps. Work cautiously so you don't cut the bulbs.
- Dig several inches (centimeters) away from the lily clumps. Do this at multiple spots encircling the lily clumps.
- Excavate to a greater depth than the lilies were initially planted.
- Raise the lily clumps from the soil.
- Get rid of excess soil attached to the lilies. You need to be able to see the bulb formations clearly to divide the lilies.
- Shake the lilies very gently to dislodge excess soil.
- Use a hose to wash the remaining soil from the bulb clumps.
- Divide the lily bulbs. As they grow, lilies form clumps of bulbs that are attached to each other. Gardening experts recommend pulling the bulbs apart or gently twisting to separate them.
- Break apart the bulb clumps, taking care to allow the roots to untangle themselves. Don't tear the roots apart.
- Tug little bulblets, immature lily bulbs, from the stem.
- Use a knife to separate lily bulbs if you can't get them apart any other way.
Transplanting Lilies
- Take off the current stem. The stem is attached to the top of the bulb.
- Choose a new site within your garden to replant the lily bulbs. Generally, the transplanted lilies will grow better in a new location.
- Pick a site with good soil drainage and good air circulation. Both are necessary for healthy lilies.
- Select a spot with appropriate sunlight and shade. Lily plants require direct sun while the bulbs require shade provided by mulch and low-growing plants.
- If you must transplant your lilies in the same bed, add new soil or bolster the existing soil with fertilizer or compost.
- Dig holes wide enough to accommodate the lily bulbs. Give each bulb a minimum radius of 6 inches (15 cm).
- Dig holes to the appropriate depth based on size of the bulb you're transplanting.
- Replant big bulbs at a depth of 4 inches (10 cm) to 6 inches (15 cm).
- Replant small bulblets at a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 2 inches (5 cm).
Tips
- Expect blooms during the following summer from the large lily bulbs you transplanted. You'll probably wait 1 or 2 years for lily bulblets to bloom.
Things You'll Need
- Lilies
- Garden fork
- Garden hose
- Water
- Knife
- Additional soil
- Fertilizer
- Compost
