How To Water Lilies

Over-watering a lily is much more likely to do damage than under-watering. But how much water is too much? There’s no unique answer to that question that fits every pot and garden, of course. It depends on the number of bulbs, the humidity and temperature of the air, and other factors. But there are simple guidelines that will allow you to keep your lily well-watered without overdoing it.

Lilies do best in soil that drains well. That provides a big clue to the novice about how much water is needed. A loose first approximation is: very little. There are several easy steps you can take to ensure you have soil that drains well.

Soils in most gardens are usually a mixture or balance between clay-like earth and sandy dirt. It’s easy to tell the difference by a simple test. Just pour a half gallon of water onto any spot you’re considering and watch how well the water drains. Then, after an hour or two under sunny conditions, press your thumb into the soil. If it’s still sopping, it’s probably more clay-like.

For a more accurate test, you can get a precise answer using a hygrometer or soil-moisture tester. A small, thin device they provide a quantitative measure of moisture content. Often used for measuring humidity in the air, there are inexpensive models that are also designed for garden use.

If the soil is too wet or too dry, it’s simple to adjust.

To break up clay, sandy soil can be added and mixed in with the existing earth. Take care to use sandy soil from a nursery or other source, though. Don’t use actual beach sand. Likewise, soil that drains too rapidly and retains virtually no water (great for some flowers or plants, like many Bonsai) can be adjusted by adding clay-like soil. Here again, don’t use actual clay such as broken pots.

Location is another element that can help control the amount of water and moisture content in the soil. If you have a garden butting up next to the house, for example, rainwater drainage from the roof can make the soil underneath excessively wet.

If the house was built properly, the house will sit up on a hill so small you may not even notice it. Or, the yard/garden can slope gently away. But in many cases, ground may slope toward the house, or allow rainwater to collect in pools near the roofline.

Avoid those areas of excess water or poor drainage when you consider where to plant your lilies.

If you have well-draining soil, whether through good composition and/or location, you have to do very little else. A third of a watering can every few days in the spring is plenty. Once the flowers bloom you will probably not need to water at all, especially if you get occasional spring or summer rains.

Remember when watering, always avoid sprinkling the flowers. That tends to cause them to wilt and fall off sooner. The effect is enhanced by having your lily exposed to hours of sun, which they like. Water the soil instead.

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