How to Divide and Plant Lily Bulbs

Buzz

Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 1/2/2026

Content

Steps

Digging Up and Dividing Lily Bulbs

Replant the flower bulbs into the soil

Planting lilies in pots

Tip

Warning

What You'll Need

Digging Up and Dividing Lily Bulbs

Replanting Lily Bulbs in the Ground

Planting Lilies in Pots

Lilies, also known as trumpet lilies or bách hợp, are perennial plants that bloom with beautiful flowers every summer. Over time, lily plants can become overcrowded as their bulb clusters grow too large. To address this, you can dig up the plants at the end of the growing season and replant them. Once you've divided the lily clumps, you can replant them in the soil or in pots. Remember to water the bulbs immediately after planting so they can grow lushly the following year!

Steps

Digging Up and Dividing Lily Bulbs

Divide lily clumps in the fall, every 3-4 years. After 3-4 years, the underground lily bulb clusters will grow larger and may start to overcrowd your garden. Wait until fall, when the stems and leaves turn from yellow to brown, before digging up the bulbs. This way, the plant won't be harmed while it's blooming.

You can also plant them in early spring, but the flowers may not be as vibrant or plentiful.
Avoid digging up lily bulbs on warm, sunny days to prevent damaging them.

Loosen the soil around the plant to lift it out. Position the shovel about 8-10 cm away from the plant's base and push it straight into the ground. Once the shovel reaches about 15 cm deep, tilt the handle toward you to lift the bulbs out.

If the plant doesn't come out immediately, remove the shovel and repeat the process on the opposite side. Continue loosening the soil in a circular motion around the base until the plant is lifted from the ground.
Avoid placing the shovel too close to the base to prevent damaging the underground bulbs.
If you don't have a shovel, a garden fork can also be used to dig up the bulbs.

Separate the bulbs by hand and sort them by size. Wear gardening gloves to avoid skin irritation. Hold a cluster of bulbs and shake off as much soil as possible to identify where the bulbs are connected. Gently pull the bulbs apart to separate them. Group the bulbs into piles by size, as larger bulbs will bloom earlier than smaller ones.

The largest bulbs you dig up will bloom in the next season.
Medium-sized bulbs will take about two seasons to bloom.
The smallest bulbs may take 3-4 seasons to produce flowers.

Tip: If you can't separate the bulbs by hand, use a garden knife to cut them apart. Clean the knife blade after each cut to prevent the spread of bacteria or disease.

Discard any bulbs showing signs of disease or rot. Inspect the bulbs after digging them up for soft spots or black mold. Wipe off the soil to easily spot any signs of infection. Dispose of all damaged bulbs in the trash to ensure only healthy plants are replanted.

Do not compost diseased bulbs, as this can spread pathogens to other plants.

Twist off the stems from the bulbs. Use your dominant hand to grip the stem above the bulb. Rotate the bulb clockwise (or counterclockwise if you're left-handed) until the stem snaps off. Continue twisting off all dead stems from the remaining healthy bulbs.

If planting daylilies, trim the stems to about 15-20 cm in length. Remove any leaves or other parts from the stems.

Store the flower bulbs you haven't planted yet in a plastic bag with sphagnum moss (white peat). It's best to plant the bulbs as soon as possible to prevent them from drying out and to ensure healthy growth. If you can't plant them immediately, place moist sphagnum moss in a plastic bag and add the bulbs. Store the bag in the refrigerator until you're ready to plant.

Replant the flower bulbs into the soil

Find a sunny area with well-draining soil to plant your lily bulbs. Choose a spot in your garden that gets 8-10 hours of sunlight daily to allow your lilies to thrive. Test the soil's drainage by digging a hole about 30 cm wide and 30 cm deep, then filling it with water. If the water drains at a rate of about 5 cm per hour, it's a suitable location for planting lilies.

Dig a hole three times the height of the bulb. Use a shovel to dig a hole at least three times the height and twice the width of the bulb. This ensures the plant has enough space to grow and is deep enough to survive the winter.

Amend the soil with compost. Spread a 5 cm layer of compost at the bottom of the hole and level it to create a solid base for the bulbs. Compost provides essential nutrients to strengthen the plant and prepare it for the growing season.

Place 3-5 bulbs in the hole, spaced about 1.3 cm apart, with the pointed end facing upward. Position the lily bulbs in the center of the hole so the pointed end, where the stems will grow, faces up. Press the bulbs firmly into the compost layer to help the roots anchor securely, ensuring strong and healthy growth. Leave at least 1.3 cm between bulbs to give them ample space to develop.

Tip: Plant clusters of bulbs 20-45 cm apart to prevent overcrowding and allow sufficient room for growth.

Fill the holes with soil and mark the planting locations. Cover the bulbs with the remaining soil until it’s level with the surrounding ground. Gently press down to compact the soil around the bulbs. Use small stakes or markers to indicate where the bulbs are planted, so you don’t forget their location.

Water the soil immediately after planting the bulbs. Use a watering can or a garden hose with a showerhead attachment to water the area where the bulbs are buried. Continue watering until the soil is moist to a depth of 15 cm to ensure the bulbs receive adequate hydration.

Planting lilies in pots

Select a pot that is 3-4 times the height of the largest bulb. Measure the size of the biggest bulb to ensure the pot is spacious enough. Choose a pot that is at least 2-3 times the bulb's diameter in width and 3-4 times its height in depth to allow for proper planting. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water from stagnating and causing bulb rot.

Add a 5-8 cm layer of compost to the bottom of the pot. Place a shard over the drainage hole to keep the compost from falling out. You can purchase high-quality compost from a gardening store or make your own. Spread a 5-8 cm layer of compost at the bottom and lightly press it down to level it. Avoid compacting the compost too tightly, as this can hinder root growth during the plant's development.

Place 3-5 bulbs in the pot, spaced about 1.3 cm apart, with the pointed ends facing upward. Arrange the bulbs in a circular pattern, keeping them about 2.5 cm away from the pot's edge. Space the bulbs 1.3 cm apart to prevent overcrowding as they grow. Ensure the pointed ends face upward; otherwise, the flowers may not sprout properly.

Tip: Plant the largest bulbs in the pot if you want flowers to bloom the following season. Otherwise, it may take several years before you see any blooms.

Cover the bulbs with 15-20 cm of soil. Use regular potting soil or a compost mixture to fill the pot, covering the bulbs with 15-20 cm of soil up to the rim. Smooth the surface and lightly press down to compact the soil around the bulbs, encouraging strong sprout growth.

Water the bulbs and place the pot in an area that receives 8-10 hours of sunlight daily. Use a watering can or hose to moisten the soil thoroughly, ensuring the water reaches a depth of 15 cm. Position the pot in a sunny spot where it gets 8-10 hours of sunlight each day, allowing the bulbs to stabilize before the next growing season.