Home > Projects >

How to Propagate Lilies from Bulbils

You will need: Pots, Compost

Some types of lily form tiny embryo bulbs in the leaf axils on the stem as the season progresses. These may be shed naturally or spread as the stem collapses at the end of the season. If you wish to increase your collection or share the plants with friends, it is worth harvesting the bulbils to sow.

Best time to do it:

Step 1

The embryo bulbs grow where the leaf meets the stem (the axil). They look like tiny replicas of the parent bulb.

Step 2

Harvest when the bulbil is ready. It will usually start off green and turn much darker as it matures. You may even see small roots at its base.

Step 3

Plant the bulbils in a pot of fresh, sterile multipurpose compost. Water to settle the compost and stand in a sheltered spot or cold frame.

Step 4

In the first year, the leaves will look completely different, as the bulbil matures. By the second year, the foliage looks much more like the parent plant. It may take 4-5 years for the bulbil to flower, depending on variety.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

Essential Gardening Jobs for Early Summer

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 Medal Winners and Awards

Farewell Flowers Directory Wins RHS Gold at Chelsea Flower Show

David Austin unveils 'The King's Rose' at RHS Chelsea

Gardening Projects for June

---

How to water when on Holiday

How to make a Herb Planter

How to repair a lawn - Patches

How to take softwood cuttings

Latest Gardening Videos

---

Effective Watering

How do I summer prune fruit trees?

Training Sweet Peas

How to tie gooseberries and redcurrants

How do I protect my tulips from squirrels and other pests?

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Desert Botanical Garden
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Aswan Botanical Garden
Aswan, Egypt

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Sydney, Australia

Eram Garden
Shiraz, Iran

Monet's Garden, Giverny
Giverny, France

Butchart Gardens
British Columbia, Canada