The Best Fertilizer for Asiatic Lilies

Lilies are ornamental plants, known by gardeners as low-maintenance, easy-to-grow, decorative flowers that add color and aesthetic quality to a garden or other landscaped area. Their low-maintenance reputation does not mean lilies thrive on neglect. A carefully designed fertilization schedule brings lilies to full health and vigor. Consider fertilizer choices in light of the exact type of lilies you are growing. Asiatic lilies, for example, respond well to a specifically designed fertilization schedule.

1. Asiatic Lilies

   • All lilies have a well-earned reputation as easy plants to grow, and Asiatic lilies are among the easiest of all lilies to grow. Along with the similar Oriental lilies, Asiatic lilies are hardy and are highly adaptable to a range of soil profiles, so long as the soil is well draining. Asiatic lilies usually grow to 2 to 5 feet tall at full maturity and bloom in a variety of colors, such as yellow, pink, deep pink, orange and cream. Asiatics are among the most commonly grown types of lilies by home gardeners.

   Fertilization for Lilies

   • Lilies tolerate many different soil types and its fertilization needs are often marginal. Have your soil tested by a local university extension office and add fertilizers as needed to supplement nutrients your soil lacks. In general, a once-per-season application of a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, such as 5--10--10 or similar formulation, applied in the spring improves lily growth. Slow-release fertilizers yield more consistent results than do quick-release formulations.

   Asiatics and Fertilization

   • The specific fertilization needs of Asiatic lilies do not differ from the general fertilization requirements for all lilies. Asiatics' well-known ability to adapt to many different soils could mean they require even less fertilization. So long as your soil is not critically deficient in important plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and others, you can grow Asiatic lilies with minimal fertilization. It is always a good idea to inquire a nursery or local university extension office about the fertilization needs of the specific species of Asiatic lilies that you purchase for cultivation.

   Other Considerations

   • Despite their hardiness and vigor, lilies are susceptible to problems associated with overfertilization. Gardeners sometimes mistakenly associate fertilizer with plant food and haphazardly add too much of it to their plants. Fertilizer is not plant food and should be used as sparingly as is possible. Always follow manufacturer's labeled application instructions to avoid harming your plants by overfertilization.

Posted in: Flower Basics