Lilies – Greenhouse or In the House?

Lilies are very adaptable and will do well in the hothouse or pot. They are, in fact, often grown in a commercial greenhouse before they’re delivered to the store to be bought. Pots also make for excellent homes for lilies of many types.

But which option is best for you? Naturally, no one can answer that question without knowing your specific goals and circumstances.

There are many people living in USDA hardiness zones less than number 3. That makes growing lilies in a garden a very tough proposition. Winter cold and frost heave in the ground can kill pricey bulbs.

True. Lily bulbs are, on average, a little higher in price than ordinary flowers. That small extra charge, though, is more than compensated for by delivering some of the most beautiful blooms in the world and at a much lower cost than orchids.

Cost aside, you have to consider how much effort you want to put into growing a flower.

Greenhouses are excellent tools for growing all kinds of plants all year round. The ability to control humidity and temperature is an irreplaceable value for gardeners who don’t want to sit out the winter. They make it possible to grow flowers that would otherwise not survive in a garden or a home.

Still, greenhouse gardening is not necessarily easier, overall. Constructing the greenhouse is often a major chore, one well worth the effort for those who enjoy it, but still not easy. Maintaining water systems, fans, benches, rows of pots, and more takes work. It’s often highly enjoyable work, but it’s not for everybody.

Container gardening is generally easier. Of course, pots are used in greenhouses, but the term here refers to plants grown in containers kept on the porch or deck, or (more often) inside the house.

Containers allow you to prepare a small amount of soil and maintain it to your desired level of pH, moisture, and chemical composition. That makes it much simpler to tailor the plant’s environment and grow exactly the type of lily you want.

Light control is pretty easy with container gardening as well. You can pick a window and area of the home that provides just the right balance of sunshine and warmth, without being too hot or bright. You can use shades or thin curtains to adjust the amount of sunlight. You can use the thermostat to adjust the overall temperature, or heat lamps for more directed and precise control.

Moisture control is equally simple with pots. It requires a bit of preparation. You’ll want to lay down the right diameter and height of pebbles in the base, and ensure good flow to the water collection plate on the base. But once you have it set up, you can even install an automatic water device to keep the soil at the desired level.

Still, choosing the environment you want to grow your lilies is as much about personal taste as anything else. And for that, no one can give you any good advice at all. Look within.

Related Articles Of Interest:

• Planting Lilies in Pot or Garden
• Plant Lilies For Spring Flowers
• Propagating Lilies From Scales
• Longer Life for Auratum Lilies