When you grow surprise lilies for the first time, you'll see just how they live up to all their common names, which include naked ladies, magic lilies and resurrection lilies. Like most plants, surprise lilies (Lycoris squamigera) put forth green foliage in spring. The foliage dies back in summer. And, just when you think you've wasted your time and money with these plants, 2-foot high flower stems emerge, sprouting beautiful lilies. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10, you can transplant surprise lilies in the fall before the first frost.
Cultivate the soil about 8 inches deep in a location that receives full sun. Surprise lilies can grow in most soil types, including sand and clay soils. However, they thrive in well-draining, organic soil, so incorporate 2 or 3 inches of organic matter, such as compost, into the soil bed.
Remove the bulbs from the current soil bed. They can be planted anywhere between 1 to 6 inches deep. Dig and lift bulbs out of the soil with a garden fork rather than a spade to limit any damage to the bulbs.
Divide bulbs at this time if you see bulb offsets attached to the main parent bulbs. Simply pull them apart with your hands. The littlest bulbs may not bloom for a year or two, so plant them in starter garden or near the back of the garden, if desired.
Dig holes that are 5 inches deep and set one bulb in each hole with the tips facing up toward the surface of the soil. Space surprise lilies 6 to 9 inches apart.
Gently pack the soil on top of the bulbs and water with 1 inch of water. Add 3 or 4 inches of mulch, such as straw, over top of the planting site if you live in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 8.
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Things You Will Need
- Organic matter
- Spade, tiller or garden fork